Fungal endophthalmitis diagnosis by detection of Candida albicans DNA in intraocular fluid by use of a species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay

Candida endophthalmitis is a serious infection secondary to hematogenous di ssemination or direct inoculation of the organisms following trauma or eye surgery. The diagnosis is based on the characteristic findings in the infec ted eye and on culture of vitreous samples. Unfortunately, the yield of vit reous cultures is limited. The use of a Candida albicans species-specific p olymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in the diagnosis of Candida endophthal mitls is reported herein. Four patients with suspected fungal endophthalmit is underwent vitrectomy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In 2 of th e 4, vitreous cultures were negative. However, characteristic PCR products were generated in all 4 patient specimens, enabling the rapid diagnosis of Candida endophthalmitis in all 4. Clinical response was observed in all cas es. These results demonstrate the utility of PCR-mediated detection of C. a lbicans in vitreous samples.