Subretinal Aspergillus Abscess in Post COVID-19 Recovered Patients – An Emerging Problem

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of Covid-19 pneumonia post recovery.

Methods

Retrospective review of five patients of endogenous endophthalmitis following Covid-19 disease done.

Results

All five cases had received systemic corticosteroid for a mean duration of 7 days during severe Covid-19 treatment. Decrease vision was presenting symptom between 1 and 31 days following Covid-19 recovery. All patients had presumed fungal endogenous endophthalmitis based on clinical profile. Four out of five patients subjected to pars plana vitrectomy had microbiologically proven aspergillus species endogenous endophthalmitis on vitreous fluid assessment; two cases each of aspergillus niger and aspergillus fumigates. Four eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil injection had shown satisfactory anatomical outcome with control of the infection; however, no significant visual gain achieved.

Conclusion

We reported five cases of aspergillus endogenous endophthalmitis in Covid-19 recovered patients to document the likely presentation of this rising entity and avoid misdiagnosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Fungal endogenous endophthalmitis
• aspergillus niger
• aspergillus fumigatus
• subretinal abscess
• retinal pseudohypopyon
• intravitreal voriconazole
• Covid-19 disease

View correction statement:

Correction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.