Objective: Frequency of candidemia seems to increase in recent years and cause significant mortality and morbidity. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the ocular findings of patients followed in intensive care unit and who had Candida spp. growing in blood culture.

Methods: A total of 20 patients older than 18 years of age with Candida spp. growing in their blood culture followed in Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital Adult Intensive Care Unit between January and September 2018 were included in the study. Ophthalmoscopy was done in all patients as soon as candidemia was detected. Age and gender of the patients, indication for hospitalization, comorbid conditions, species of the isolate, whether the patient received antifungal therapy, and their ocular findings were recorded.

Results: Mean age was 58.6 years, and 13 (65%) of patients were male. Diabetes mellitus in 5 patients, and malignancy in 3 patients was detected, and the most common species was Candida parapsilosis represented by 9 isolates. Blood culture was obtained with clinical prediction, and empirical treatment was started. All patients were under antifungal therapy started empirically when the positive blood culture results were obtained. Fundoscopic examinations were evaluated as normal.

Conclusions: Ophthalmoscopic pathology was not observed in any patients despite of the small number of patients included. We consider that further studies on this subject conducted with larger patient numbers would be valuable. 

Klimik Dergisi 2019; 32(3): 315-7.

Cite this article as: İnci A, Ünsel M, Kaya E, Salihoğlu Z. [Assessment of ocular findings in patients with candidemia in intensive care unit]. Klimik Derg. 2019; 32(3): 315-7. Turkish.