Which fungal species is commonly implicated in fungal endophthalmitis after intraocular surgery or trauma?

• A. Candida albicans
• B. Aspergillus flavus
• C. Fusarium solani
• D. Candida tropicalis

Answer: (A)

Candida albicans is the organism most commonly implicated in fungal endophthalmitis after intraocular surgery or trauma because it is a frequent inhabitant of mucosal surfaces and can readily contaminate the surgical field or implants. Once inside the eye, Candida adheres to damaged intraocular tissues and can form biofilms, which helps it persist and cause infection even with limited inoculum. In contrast, molds such as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium solani are more often linked to traumatic inoculation with plant or soil material and tend to cause more acute, angioinvasive infections, while Candida tropicalis is less typically the primary culprit in this postoperative or post-traumatic setting.