Fungal endophthalmitis diagnosis by detection of Candida albicans DNA in intraocular fluid by use of a species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay
Ja. Hidalgo et al., Fungal endophthalmitis diagnosis by detection of Candida albicans DNA in intraocular fluid by use of a species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay, J INFEC DIS, 181(3), 2000, pp. 1198-1201
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.