Fungal Endogenous Endophthalmitis during Pregnancy as a Complication of In-Vitro Fertilization

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report a Candida endogenous endophthalmitis in a pregnant woman with a prior history of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: Case report.

Results: 21-year-old healthy woman within the first trimester of her pregnancy of a successful IVF developed a focal retinitis and panuveitis. Ocular findings suggested fungal endophthalmitis. The patient was treated with pars plana vitrectomy and repeated intravitreal antifungal injections. No systemic therapy was given. Cultures showed Candida albicans. IVF procedure was the only identifiable risk factor for endogenous endophthalmitis.

Conclusions: In-vitro fertilization appeared as a possible risk factor for endogenous endophthalmitis during pregnancy. In the absence of systemic fungal infection, local intravitreal antifungal injections seem to be effective options to treat endogenous candida endophthalmitis, especially in the first trimester.

Keywords:

• Fungal endogenous endophthalmitis
• in-vitro fertilization
• IVF
• pars plana vitrectomy
• pregnancy

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.