Ocular Candidiasis in Patients with Candidemia at a Large Tertiary Care Center

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by Candida sp. have a high mortality rate and have been increasing in recent years. Ocular candidiasis (OC) is one systemic manifestation of Candida infection; either chorioretinitis or endophthalmitis, and may lead to vision loss. Therefore, IDSA recommends an ophthalmology exam for all patients with Candida BSI. However, reported incidence of OC varies from 1 to 25%, questioning routine eye exams in these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of patients who undergo ophthalmological exams and those diagnosed with OC at Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans (OMC-NO). METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients were identified from January 2013 to December 2015 with at least one positive blood culture for Candida sp. (only albicans, glabrata, and parapsilosis were included). Records were reviewed through the EPIC system. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients, 65 were females and 79 males; average age 58 years old. Seventy-six (52.8%) had an ophthalmological exam at Ochsner; excluding one patient who refused an exam, one patient who was excessively combative, and one patient in whom exam was deferred due to medical condition. Three patients (3.9%) showed Candida chorioretinitis; none endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: OC can have devastating consequences if left untreated and early diagnosis is imperative. Our analysis reveals that OC is present in 3.9% of ophthalmology exams, but this may be biased towards patients who are cooperative and can tolerate a dilated eye exam. Critical patients with multiple co-morbidities may be at higher risk for OC. A weakness of our study is that it is limited to ophthalmology records at Ochsner, and there may be records at outside facilities. Further data is required to make recommendations in patients with Candida BSI. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.