Torulopsis candida (Candida famata) Endophthalmitis Simulating Propionibacterium acnes Syndrome

Four months after undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens, a 74-year-old woman developed granulomatous anterior uveitis. Although she initially responded well to corticosteroid therapy, she experienced multiple recurrences on discontinuation of this therapy. Slit-lamp examination showed the ocular inflammation to be associated with white cortical material within the lens capsular sac. She underwent removal of the implant as well as the lens capsular sac. Anaerobic culture yielded no organisms, but fungus cultures yielded Torulopsis candida. Histopathologic and electron microscopic studies showed large numbers of yeast sequestered within the lens capsular sac and mild granulomatous inflammation around the sac. Torulopsis candida is occasionally isolated from specimens as a contaminant, but has not yet been shown to produce human disease. The case reported herein documents potential pathogenicity of Torulopsis candida and reveals the importance of organisms other than anaerobic bacteria in causing delayed and localized intraocular inflammation that is virtually identical to Propionibacterium acnes infection.