Endophthalmitis Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

- by
- •
- Turkey, Multidisciplinary, Endophthalmitis, Visual acuity

Endophthalmitis, an ophthalmic condition characterized by an inflammation of the intraocular cavity, can have substantial implications for vision. However, little is known about the cost of treatment. The objective of this study was to estimate the direct medical cost of treatment for endophthalmitis in the United States. Retrospective data analysis using the 1997 through 2001 Medicare Beneficiary Encrypted Files. Beneficiaries who underwent cataract surgery were identified; baseline and clinical characteristics at the time of diagnosis were determined. Analyses stratified patients based on development of endophthalmitis in the year after surgery. Claims and reimbursements for cases (patients undergoing cataract extraction in whom endophthalmitis developed) and controls (patients who did not experience endophthalmitis) were determined and rates of resource use and costs were calculated from the perspective of Medicare. Annual Medicare payments and claims. A total of 417 beneficiaries with endophthalmitis occurring after cataract surgery were found; 139 558 had cataract surgery without subsequent endophthalmitis. Three fifths of beneficiaries were female and 89% were white. Ophthalmic claims and reimbursements were more than 1.45 times greater for cases than controls ($12 578 in higher claims and $3464 in higher reimbursements; P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.0001). These findings demonstrate a substantial cost associated with endophthalmitis. With recent studies suggesting that prophylaxis is effective in preventing endophthalmitis, there is potential that inexpensive prophylaxis could result in cost and resource savings to Medicare.

- by Alan L Robin
- •
- Ophthalmology, Health Services Research, Endophthalmitis, Cataract surgery

Purpose To study the incidence, clinical presentation, and the response of anti-fungals in cases of fungal endophthalmitis following open globe injury. Methods This is a prospective study of eight cases of post-traumatic fungal endophthalmitis among 110 patients who presented to us with open globe injury between August 2003 and January 2005. Patients with panophthalmitis were eviscerated and rest received intravitreal amphotericin B. Pars plana vitrectomy along with intravitreal miconazole was given in patients with inadequate response to intravitreal amphotericin. Results Two patients had panophthalmitis at the time of presentation and were eviscerated. Six different organisms were isolated from the culture of intraocular specimen of eight patients. The yield of vitreous aspirate was 87.5% and that of aqueous aspirate was 66.6%. Aspergillus sp. and Fusarium sp. were isolated in 62.5% of cases. Minimum inhibitory concentration of amphotericin B and miconazole was less than 3 lg/ml for all organisms except for Paecilomyces lilacinus and Fusarium solani, respectively. In total, 37.5% of patient had final visual acuity of 20/400 or better. Conclusions Fungal endophthalmitis is a relatively rare complication of open globe injury. The final visual outcome after fungal endophthalmitis is dismal. Aspergillus fumigatus was found to be the most virulent organism. All organisms were found to be sensitive to amphotericin B, except P. lilacinus, which was sensitive to miconazole. Repeated intravitreal injection may be required to control the infection. The virulence of the organism and the site of injury are the main determinants of final visual outcome.

- by Indranil Saha
- •
- Immunology, Adolescent, Endophthalmitis, Visual acuity
- by B. Ramasamy
- •
- Ophthalmology, Immunology, Medicine, Endophthalmitis

Purpose: To identify the microbiological spectrum and visual outcome of exogenous infectious endophthalmitis in the pediatric age group. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all children 14 years and younger with culture-positive endophthalmitis treated at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and King Abdulaziz University Hospital between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2004. Results: Forty-nine children were identified. There were 32 males and 17 females with a mean age of 5.7 ± 2.8 years (range 1-13 years). Thirty-five (71.4 %) cases occurred after penetrating open globe injuries and the remaining 14 (28.6%) followed ocular surgery. Primary vitrectomy was performed on 29 (59.2%) eyes. The mean follow-up was 28.4 ± 28.4 months (range 1.2-98.5 months). A single species was isolated in 42 (85.7%) eyes, and multiple organisms in seven (14.3%) with a total of 56 infecting organisms. The most common isolates were Streptococcus species and coagulase-negative Staphylococci comprising 44.6% and 21.4% of the isolates, respectively. Final visual acuity was 20/200 or better in 15 (34.1%), counting fingers in 8 (18.2%), light perception to hand motions in 8 (18.2%), no light perception in 13 (29.5%) eyes, including 3 that have been enucleated or eviscerated, and not available in 5 patients. None of the children who had nonvirulent organisms had a final visual acuity of no light perception compared with 39.4% of children who had virulent organisms (p = 0.011). Visual outcome of counting fingers was attained in 26% of children who were treated with primary vitrectomy compared with 5.9% of children treated with antibiotics alone on presentation (p = 0.0484). Visual outcome was no light perception in 18.5% of children who underwent primary vitrectomy compared with 47.1% of children treated with antibiotics alone. Conclusions: The most common organisms identified were Streptococcus species and coagulase-negative Staphylococci. Culture of a nonvirulent organism, and treatment with primary vitrectomy were associated with better visual outcomes. Visual outcomes were generally poor.

- by Saba Al-rashaed
- •
- Immunology, Saudi Arabia, Adolescent, Endophthalmitis

This is a case report of post intravitreal injection endophthalmitis encountered at the University Teaching Hospitals-Eye Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Endophthalmitis is a clinical diagnosis made when intraocular inflammation involving both the anterior and posterior chambers is attributable to bacterial or fungal infection. Post injection endophthalmitis is a dreaded complication that occurs following intraocular surgery or procedures such as intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors or corticosteroids. We attended to a rare case of bilateral post intravitreal injection endophthalmitis in a 51-year-old female patient who presented with bilateral severe pain and acute visual loss in both eyes following intravitreal injection of Avastin (bevacizumab) the previous day. On examination, there was severely decreased visual acuity from 6/36 right eye and 6/60 left eye to hand movement in both eyes. There was also corneal haziness, fibrin in the anterior chambers, hypopyon and vitreous cells in both eyes. A clinical diagnosis of bilateral post-injection endophthalmitis was made. There was immediate administration of intravitreal antibiotics of Vancomycin 1.0mg/0.1mL and Ceftazidime 2.25mg/0.1mL with intravitreal Dexamethasone 0.4mg/0.1ml stat dose and systemic ciprofloxacin 750mg 12 hourly for 7 days. Due to prompt diagnosis and treatment vision recovery was excellent in both eyes and both eyes were preserved.

To investigate the incidence, causative organisms, and visual acuity outcomes associated with endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy. Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. The medical records were reviewed of all patients who developed acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis (within 6 weeks of surgery) after pars plana vitrectomy at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 2003. During the 20-year study interval, the overall incidence rate of postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was 0.039% (6/15,326). Cultured organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3), Proteus mirabilus (n = 1), and Staphylococcus epidermidis/Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1); one case was culture-negative. Visual acuity after treatment for endophthalmitis ranged from 2/200 to no light perception, with a final vision of light perception or no light perception in four of six (67%) eyes. The incidence of endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy is low but the visual acuity outcomes after treatment are generally poor.

- by Harry Flynn and +1
- •
- Treatment Outcome, Endophthalmitis, Visual acuity, Staphylococcus aureus

Bacterial resistance is critical for the selection of antibiotics in the treatment of infections, so it is vital to know its current status in our geographical area. To determine in vitro antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates obtained from keratitis and intraocular infections. A retrospective study of microbiological tests in Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander (FOSCAL) was carried out between June, 2011, and January, 2012. A total of 92 samples were examined and 110 bacteria, 27 fungi and 12 free-living amoebae were identified. Polymicrobial infections constituted 50% of the total; 1.1%, 0%, 1.1%, 16.9%, 29.3% and 85% of Gram-positive bacteria were resistant to imipenem, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and tobramycin, respectively, while 0%, 8.3%, 0%, 0%, 18.2% and 27.3% of Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to imipenem, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and tobramycin, respectively. For methicillin-resistant coagulase-pos...

- by Srikanta Chowdhury
- •
- Colombia, Fungi, Cornea, Endophthalmitis
- by Khalid Tabbara
- •
- Ophthalmology, Surgery, Treatment, Saudi Arabia

Modern cataract surgery is safe in more than 95 per cent of patients. In the small number of cases where a serious complication occurs, the most common is an intra-operative posterior capsular rupture. This can lead to vitreous loss or a dropped nucleus and can increase the risk of post-operative cystoid macular oedema or retinal detachment. Post-operatively, posterior capsular opacification is the most common complication and can be readily treated with a YAG capsulotomy. The most devastating complication is endophthalmitis, the rate of which is now significantly decreased through the use of intracameral antibiotics. As a clinician, the most important step is to assess the patient pre-operatively to predict higher risk individuals and to counsel them appropriately. In these patients, various pre- or intra-operative management steps can be taken in addition to routine phacoemulsification to optimise their visual outcome.

- by Elsie Chan
- •
- Risk assessment, Endophthalmitis, Retinal detachment, Physical sciences

... Previous Section. References. ↵ Campochiaro PA, Conway BP. ... Responses to this article. Author&#x27;s reply: Gavin D Galloway,; Andrew Ramsay, Kerry Jordan, Anthony Vivian. Br J Ophthalmol published online September 14,... more

- by Bernard Doft
- •
- British, Endophthalmitis, Clinical Sciences, Aged
- by M. Berguiga
- •
- Endophthalmitis, Visual acuity, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Optometry and Ophthalmology

The incidence of traumatic endophthalmitis may be decreasing due to earlier wound closure and prompt initiation of antibiotics. Risk factors for endophthalmitis include retained intraocular foreign body, rural setting of injury, disruption of the crystalline lens, and a delay in primary wound closure. The microbiology in the post-traumatic setting includes a higher frequency of virulent organisms such as Bacillus species.

- by Yassir Ahmed
- •
- Microbiology, Ophthalmology, Immunology, Endophthalmitis
- by Dawn Sim
- •
- Immunology, Endophthalmitis, Cataract surgery, Air

Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare but serious condition that occurs when bacteria cross the blood-ocular barrier and multiply within the eye. We provide an overview of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis by reviewing 267 reported cases and integrating this with our experience of an additional 19 cases. The majority of patients with endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis are initially misdiagnosed and many have an underlying disease known to predispose to infection. This condition is often previously undiagnosed. Blood cultures are the most frequent means of establishing the diagnosis. The most common Gram positive organisms are Staphylococcus aureus, group B streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae,and Listeria monocytogenes. The most common Gram negative organisms are Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Neisseria meningitidis. Gram negative organisms are responsible for the majority of cases reported from East Asian hospitals, but Gram positive organisms are more common in North America and Europe. The visual outcome is poor with most cases leading to blindness in the affected eye. Many patients have extraocular foci of infection, with an associated mortality rate of 5%. The outcome of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis has not improved in 55 years and clinicians need to have a high level of awareness of this commonly misdiagnosed condition.

- by Elizabeth Graham and +2
- •
- Streptococcus pneumoniae, Endophthalmitis, Prospective studies, Case Report

Endophthalmitis is the intraocular inflammation involving the anterior chamber and vitreous of the eye. It is associated with infectious (bacterial or fungal) or non infectious stimuli including lens toxic material released during the surgery. We report a rare organism for the first time, the isolation of Staphylcoccus warneri from the post-traumatic endophthalmitis case.

- by Guru Prasad Manderwad
- •
- Microbiology, Endophthalmitis, Case Report

Magnetic fields have the potential to noninvasively direct and focus therapy to disease targets. External magnets can apply forces on drug-coated magnetic nanoparticles, or on living cells that contain particles, and can be used to manipulate them in vivo. Significant progress has been made in developing and testing safe and therapeutic magnetic constructs that can be manipulated by magnetic fields. However, we do not yet have the magnet systems that can then direct those constructs to the right places, in vivo, over human patient distances. We do not yet know where to put the external magnets, how to shape them, or when to turn them on and off to direct particles or magnetized cells-in blood, through tissue, and across barriers-to disease locations. In this article, we consider ear and eye disease targets. Ear and eye targets are too deep and complex to be targeted by a single external magnet, but they are shallow enough that a combination of magnets may be able to direct therapy t...

- by Didier Depireux
- •
- Biomedical Engineering, Blindness, Endophthalmitis, Macular Degeneration

The goal of this study was to determine whether sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer/5.8S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) can be used to detect fungal pathogens in patients with ocular infections (endophthalmitis and keratitis). Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and ITS2 and 5.8S rDNA were amplified by PCR and seminested PCR to detect fungal DNA. Fifty strains of 12 fungal species (yeasts and molds) were used to test the selected primers and conditions of the PCR. PCR and seminested PCR of this region were carried out to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the method. It proved possible to amplify the ITS2/5.8S region of all the fungal strains by this PCR method. All negative controls (human and bacterial DNA) were PCR negative. The sensitivity of the seminested PCR amplification reaction by DNA dilutions was 1 organism per PCR, and the sensitivity by cell dilutions was fewer than 10 organisms per PCR. Intraocular sampling or corneal scraping was undertaken for all patients with suspected infectious endophthalmitis or keratitis (nonherpetic), respectively, between November 1999 and February 2001. PCRs were subsequently performed with 11 ocular samples. The amplified DNA was sequenced, and aligned against sequences in GenBank at the National Institutes of Health. The results were PCR positive for fungal primers for three corneal scrapings, one aqueous sample, and one vitreous sample; one of them was negative by culture. Molecular fungal identification was successful in all cases. Bacterial detection by PCR was positive for three aqueous samples and one vitreous sample; one of these was negative by culture. Amplification of ITS2/5.8S rDNA and molecular typing shows potential as a rapid technique for identifying fungi in ocular samples.

- by Susana Frases
- •
- Sequence Analysis, Endophthalmitis, Clinical Microbiology, Biological Sciences

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intracameral cefuroxime for postoperative endophthalmitis prophylaxis, and to determine the efficacy threshold necessary for alternative antibiotics to attain cost-effective equivalence with... more

- by Ayman Naseri
- •
- Ophthalmology, Surgery, Treatment, Treatment Outcome
- by Harry Flynn and +1
- •
- Endophthalmitis, American, Anti-inflammatory agents, Clinical Sciences
- by Mehmet Borazan
- •
- Treatment Outcome, Conjunctiva, Endophthalmitis, Cataract surgery

for the French Institutional Endophthalmitis Study (FRIENDS) group* Purpose: This study was designed to compare the diagnostic yield of microbiological analysis performed on diluted and undiluted vitreous samples from pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with acute postcataract endophthalmitis. Design: Cohort study, evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. Participants: Patients with acute postcataract endophthalmitis (Ͻ6 weeks).

- by Max Maurin and +1
- •
- Ophthalmology, Endophthalmitis, Prospective studies, Bacteria

Introduction: Fungal endophthalmitis is a rare but sight-threatening disease. Despite an expanding range of fungal pathogens, there are only few therapeutic agents for its treatment available. Voriconazole is a second-generation synthetic triazole with a broad action against yeasts and molds. The current study investigates the safety of Voriconazole for intravitreal application in a cell culture model.

- by Marcus Kernt
- •
- Colorimetry, Treatment Outcome, Oxidative Stress, Retinal Pigment Epithelium
- by Kiky Martha A
- •
- Endophthalmitis

In this retrospective observational series at a single eye hospital, records of patients who had cataract surgery using a modified sterilization protocol from January 2007 through August 2008 and developed postoperative endophthalmitis within the first 3 postoperative months were drawn from a computerized database. The patient's socioeconomic status, the surgeon's experience, and the type of cataract procedure performed were analyzed as possible risk factors using the chi-square test/Fischer exact test.

- by Sabyasachi Sengupta
- •
- Ophthalmology, Surgery, Treatment, Evolution
- by Peter McCluskey and +1
- •
- Statistical Analysis, Public Health, Conjunctiva, Endophthalmitis

To determine the effect of endophthalmitis on diabetic retinopathy. Design: Noncomparative case series. Methods: The records of all consecutive patients with endophthalmitis treated between 1992 and 1997 at the Medical College of... more

- by Pramod Bhende
- •
- Ophthalmology, Endophthalmitis, Visual acuity, Diabetic Retinopathy
- by Nick Mamalis and +1
- •
- Ophthalmology, Surgery, Treatment, Endophthalmitis
- by John Kitchens and +1
- •
- Endophthalmitis, Lymphoma, Retina, Optometry and Ophthalmology

In June 2010, a severe outbreak of 13 cases of postecataract surgery endophthalmitis caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurred. Pulse-field gel electrophoresis in eye isolates found 95% genetic similarity; however,... more

- by OLGA PAPPA
- •
- Nursing, Endophthalmitis, Molecular Epidemiology, Cataract surgery
- by Janet Johnston
- •
- Nursing, Endophthalmitis, Perioperative Nursing, Sterilization

Endoftalmites bacterianas com culturas positivas: uma revisão de 6 anos Descritores: Infecções oculares bacterianas; Endoftalmite/etiologia; Endoftalmite/cirurgia; Humor aquoso/microbiologia; Resistência microbiana a medicamentos; Testes de sensibilidade microbiana Objetivo: Determinar a distribuição dos microrganismos isolados de pacientes com endoftalmite bacteriana e sua sensibilidade a antimicrobianos. Métodos: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os dados clínicos e microbiológicos dos pacientes com hipótese diagnóstica de endoftalmite e cultura bacteriana positiva, atendidos no Departamento de Oftalmologia da UNIFESP de 1º de janeiro de 2000 a 31 de dezembro de 2005. Resultados: De 451 pacientes, 153 (33,9%) apresentaram cultura bacteriana positiva. Foram isolados 155 microrganismos, sendo 79,35% gram-positivos e 20,65% gram-negativos. Os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativos (SCoN) (41,94%) foram os mais freqüentemente isolados. A sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos entre os gram-negativos foi: amicacina 87,10%, tobramicina 80,65%, ciprofloxacina 96,67%, levofloxacina, gatifloxacina e moxifloxacina 100%, ceftazidima 85%, e gentamicina 80,65%. A sensibilidade à vancomicina entre os gram-positivos foi de 100%. S. aureus e SCoN apresentaram 83,33% de sensibilidade à oxacilina, 89,61% à ciprofloxacina e 100% à gatifloxacina e moxifloxacina. A forma de aquisição predominante foi a pós-operatória (60,65%). Conclusão: Observamos baixa sensibilidade da cultura para o diagnóstico etiológico das endoftalmites. Uma terapia antimicrobiana ou profilaxia empírica deve ser ativa contra os microrganismos gram-positivos, particularmente contra estafilococos. Estudos de vigilância de resistência bacteriana são importantes para adequação desses esquemas. RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO

Editor,Although still uncommon, endogenous fungal endophthalmitis has increased notably owing to widespread use of immunosuppressive therapy, hyperalimentation, and injecting drug use.Candida is the most common causative organism with... more

- by Leonardo Sechi
- •
- British, Treatment Outcome, Endophthalmitis, Candidiasis

Purpose: To report a case of endophthalmitis after XEN® 45 stent implantation for managing primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) intolerant to topical therapy. Patient and Methods: A patient with POAG underwent bilateral, non-simultaneous XEN® stent implantation and developed an early-onset endophthalmitis secondary to Staphylococcus epidermidis in one eye. Results: Four days after XEN® implantation in the second eye, the patient developed anterior chamber reaction in form of fibrin and hypopyon, which was handled initially with topical therapy, including fortified antibiotic eye drops. With worsening findings, on postoperative day 6, antibiotics were administered by means of intracameral lavage and subconjunctival injection. Subsequently, vitritis was diagnosed on postoperative day 9 and a pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal administration of clindamycin and vancomycin was performed together with XEN® stent explantation, followed by an intensive topical treatment. Clinical improvement was achieved after 46 days. At the 12-month follow-up visit, the affected eye had a best-corrected visual acuity of 0.7 Snellen decimal value and the intraocular pressure (IOP) remained above target in both eyes and was again controlled with anti-glaucoma drops bilaterally. Conclusions: The XEN® stent is an ab interno MIGS approach to subconjunctival outflow, and is not exempt from risk of severe complications including endophthalmitis.

- by Fortune Journals
- •
- Endophthalmitis

The infection frequency associated to bacterial conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers (CU), and endophthalmitis was studied along a five years period. The isolation and identification of microorganisms were performed by culture-based methods and biochemical test respectively. Also, a nested PCR to detect gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in the clinical samples was assayed. Nested PCR was a more efficient method than culture to detect bacteria in the samples. The most frequently isolated species was Staphylococcus epidermidis, a bacterium commonly considered as a human saprophyte. The S. epidermidis strains from conjunctivitis, CU, and endophthalmitis exhibited 46, 33.9, and 34.1% of oxacilin-resistance respectively. A total of 28% of intermediate-vancomycin resistance (MIC = 8-16 µg/ml) was observed among S. epidermidis strain collection. The UPGMA cluster analysis of the multiresistance profile data of intermediate vancomycin-resistant S. epidermidis strains showed a high phenotypic diversity and no relationship between each group and their clinical origin. The biofilm formation capacity was broadly distributed (66%), particularly among intermediate-vancomycin strains (> 75%). In brief, S. epidermidis displayed a high diversity of antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm formation capacity. These phenotypic traits could explain the high isolation frequency of S. epidermidis from ocular infections and oblige to review the saprophytic status of these bacteria.

- by Miguel Angel Reyes-López
- •
- Biofilms, Endophthalmitis, Mexico, Corneal Ulcer Management

The treatment of endophthalmitis is becoming very challenging due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Hence, the development of novel therapeutic alternatives for ocular use is essential. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Ply187AN-KSH3b, a chimeric phage endolysin derived from the Ply187 prophage, in a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis. Our data showed that the chimeric Ply187 endolysin exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, as evidenced by MIC determinations, reductions in turbidity, and disruption of biofilms. Moreover, exposure of S. aureus to Ply187 for up to 10 generations did not lead to resistance development. The intravitreal injection of chimeric Ply187 (at 6 or 12 h postinfection) significantly improved the outcome of endophthalmitis, preserved retinal structural integrity, and maintained visual function as assessed by electroreti...

- by mba director
- •
- Microbiology, Biofilms, Medical Microbiology, Cytokines
- by W. Sponsel
- •
- Endophthalmitis, Fusarium, Fusarium solani, Clinical Sciences

Bacterial attachment onto intraocular lenses (IOLs) during cataract extraction and IOL implantation is a prominent aetiological factor in the pathogenesis of infectious endophthalmitis. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) have shown that photosensitizers are effective treatments for cancer, and in the photoinactivation of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, in the presence of light. To date, no method of localizing the photocytotoxic effect of a photosensitizer at a biomaterial surface has been demonstrated. Here we show a method for concentrating this effect at a material surface to prevent bacterial colonization by attaching a porphyrin photosensitizer at, or near to, that surface, and demonstrate the principle using IOL biomaterials. Anionic hydrogel copolymers were shown to permanently bind a cationic porphyrin through electrostatic interactions as a thin surface layer. The mechanical and thermal properties of the materials showed that the porphyrin acts as a surface cross-linking agent, and renders surfaces more hydrophilic. Importantly, Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence was reduced by up to 99.02 AE 0.42% relative to the control in intense light conditions and 91.76 AE 5.99% in the dark. The ability to concentrate the photocytotoxic effect at a surface, together with a significant dark effect, provides a platform for a range of light-activated anti-infective biomaterial technologies.

- by Carole Parsons and +1
- •
- Biomaterials, Porphyrins, Multidisciplinary, Endophthalmitis

The authors describe a 92-year-old man who developed delayed-onset endophthalmitis secondary to Bacillus sp. in his left eye 3 years after placement of an Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt (Optonol Ltd., Neve Ilan, Israel). Seidel testing was positive over the Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt. The patient underwent vitreous tap followed by intravitreal injections of vancomycin (1 mg/0.1 mL), ceftazadime (2.25 mg/0.1 mL), and dexamethasone (0.4 mg/0.1 mL), along with subconjunctival injection of vancomycin and tobramycin. The last recorded visual acuity was 3/200 in the left eye. With a 1-month follow-up, this case illustrates successful treatment with a vitreous tap and injection of intravitreal antibiotics. Vitrectomy and removal of the Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt were not performed.

- by Harry Flynn
- •
- Treatment Outcome, Endophthalmitis, Glaucoma, Anti-Bacterial Agents

This study aimed to present two patients with delayed-onset, endogenous fungal keratitis after treatment for fungal endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of two patients in whom deep stromal fungal keratitis developed 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively, after apparent successful aggressive therapy for fungal endophthalmitis. Before the onset of the keratitis, both patients underwent vitrectomies with intraocular injection of 7.5 to 10.0 mcg amphotericin B, as well as treatment with systemic fluconazole and topical antifungal therapy. In case 1, a pre-existing prosthetic intraocular lens and lens capsular bag were removed at the time of vitrectomy, whereas in case 2, the intraocular lens was left in place and a posterior capsulectomy was performed. Results: The keratitis worsened in both patients, despite intensive systemic and topical antifungal therapy. Both patients underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasties. In case 1, this resulted in successful resolution of the infection and no recurrences 3 months after the transplant. The corneal transplant was complicated by an expulsive choroidal hemorrhage in the other patient. Fusafium solani was cultured from the initial vitrectomy specimen in patient 1, and although it was not cultured from the keratitis, septate hyphal elements were present on histopathologic exa~nination. The causative organism in case 2 was Acremonium kiliense, which was cultured from both the original vitrectomy specimen and the deep corneal stromal infiltrate. Conclusions: Fungal organisms may not be eradicated completely from eyes with endophthalmitis despite aggressive therapy and apparent initial successful treatment. These patients need to be monitored for prolonged periods, and treatment should be reinitiated at the earliest sign of recrudescence of infection.

- by Stephen Orlin
- •
- Ophthalmology, Endophthalmitis, Fusarium, Fluconazole