T2 Magnetic Resonance Assay and Detection of Ocular Candidiasis

The use T2 magnetic resonance (T2MR) assay may be more effective at detecting ocular complications of candidemia compared to standard blood tests, according to the findings of a study presented by Rahul Komati, MD, Henry Ford Health System, at the 37^th ASRS Annual Meeting.

The researchers performed a retrospective clinical study which gauged the sensitivity of T2MR in 164 patients who were evaluated in ophthalmologic consultations for ocular candidiasis at Henry Ford Hospital, a tertiary-care academic hospital, between August and December of 2017. The researchers collated clinical microbiology data from inpatient records. The testing diagnosed ‘definite ocular involvement’ if the dilated eye exam revealed any evidence of chorioretinitis or endophthalmitis. Also, by definition ‘Suspicious for chorioretinitis’ was discerned as any lesion that was initially diagnosed as candida before later diagnosed as a different pathology.

Following data analysis, the study results showed that 99 (60%) of participants were T2MR positive compared to 120 (73%) who were blood culture positive. The ophthalmologic test revealed that 22 patients (13%) exhibited the clear presence of ocular candida infections, which was higher than the rate of reports for blood testing culture devices used for diagnosis. Moreover, of these, 20 patients had chorioretinitis while two had endophthalmitis. The results further showed that 11 patients (7%) possibly had chorioretinitis, and 131 (80%) had no ocular abnormalities.

The researchers further noted that one case in this study required immediate intravitreal injection, and only patient developed endophthalmitis during admission and subsequently underwent intravitreal injection. This patient, according to the authors, “had positive T2MR and blood cultures.”

Furthermore, the study showed that T2MR sensitivity was 75% in patients with definitive chorioretinitis compared with 64% for blood cultures. However, the findings suggest no statistical differences in testing among those categories.

“T2MR is a useful tool in management of candidemia as it is much faster than blood cultures,” the authors wrote, adding that this allows for “earlier ophthalmologic examination and intervention on patients with ocular candida infections.”

Read more at: https://meeting2019.asrs.org/ondemand#/ondemand/papers/t2-magnetic-resonance-assay-and-detection-of-ocular-candidiasis-356

Komati R. T2 Magnetic Resonance Assay and Detection of Ocular Candidiasis. Presented at the 37^th ASRS Annual Meeting; July 26-30, 2019; Chicago, IL.