Retinal vasculitis as an early indicator of systemic candidal abscesses in a premature infant

• Published in: Journal of AAPOS Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 96 - 97
• Main Authors: Vinekar, Anand, MD, FRCS, Avadhani, Kavitha, MD, Maralusiddappa, Pradeep, MD, Prabhu, Vinay M.D., MD, Mahendradas, Padmamalini, MD, Indumathi, V.A., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01-02-2011
• Subjects: Abscess - diagnostic imaging; Abscess - drug therapy; Abscess - microbiology; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Bacteremia - diagnosis; Bacteremia - drug therapy; Bacteremia - microbiology; Candida albicans - isolation & purification; Candidiasis - diagnosis; Candidiasis - drug therapy; Candidiasis - microbiology; Eye Infections, Fungal - diagnosis; Eye Infections, Fungal - drug therapy; Eye Infections, Fungal - microbiology; Fluconazole - therapeutic use; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Infusions, Intravenous; Kidney Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Kidney Diseases - drug therapy; Kidney Diseases - microbiology; Male; Ophthalmology; Retinal Vasculitis - diagnosis; Retinal Vasculitis - drug therapy; Retinal Vasculitis - microbiology; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 1091-8531; 1528-3933
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2010.11.005

We report a case of fungal retinal vasculitis in a 32 week gestational age, 1200 g premature infant detected during routine screening for retinopathy of prematurity at 78 days of age. The patient subsequently developed sepsis with perinephric abscess but responded rapidly to systemic therapy. Fortuitous detection of retinal vasculitis as the first evidence of a systemic fungal infection in an immunocompetent and asymptomatic infant has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported.