Challenging course of endophthalmitis with corneal ulcer following cataract surgery: successful management and visual rehabilitation / Caso desafiador de endoftalmite com úlcera corneal após cirurgia de catarata: manejo bem-sucedido e reabilitação visual

ABSTRACT The objective of this case report was to share the successful management of severe endophthalmitis, aiming at ocular integrity and visual acuity. A 73-year-old man presented with visual acuity of 20/30 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye. On the 21st day postoperatively after phacoemulsification in the left eye, he developed symptoms of endophthalmitis, including ocular discomfort, blurred vision, and whitish discharge. Despite negative cultures, his condition worsened, resulting in corneal perforation on the 31st day. Conjunctival flap and penetrating keratoplasty were performed. Currently, the patient maintains a visual acuity of 20/40 in the left eye, with a healthy graft and no signs of failure. Despite the complications, careful follow-up and timely interventions successfully preserved his vision. The use of conjunctival flap during the inflammatory phase was crucial to maintaining ocular integrity. This underscores the importance of different approaches in complex ocular complications, including alternative strategies for ocular protection during active inflammation.

RESUMO O objetivo deste relato de caso foi compartilhar o manejo bem-sucedido de uma grave endoftalmite, visando à integridade ocular e à acuidade visual. Um homem de 73 anos apresentou acuidade visual de 20/30 no olho direito e 20/200 no olho esquerdo. No 21° dia pós-operatório de facoemulsificação em olho esquerdo, ele desenvolveu sintomas de endoftalmite, incluindo desconforto ocular, visão embaçada e secreção esbranquiçada. Apesar de culturas negativas, sua condição piorou, resultando em perfuração corneal no 31° dia. A cobertura conjuntival e a ceratoplastia penetrante foram realizadas. Atualmente, o paciente mantém acuidade visual de 20/40 no olho esquerdo, com enxerto saudável e sem sinais de falha. Apesar das complicações, o acompanhamento cuidadoso e as intervenções oportunas preservaram a visão com sucesso. O uso de cobertura conjuntival durante a fase inflamatória foi crucial para manter a integridade ocular. Isso destaca a importância de diferentes abordagens em complicações oculares complexas, incluindo estratégias alternativas para proteção ocular durante a inflamação ativa.

Eye fungal infections: a mini review.

Ocular fungal infections annually affect more than one million individuals worldwide. The management of these infections is problematic, mainly due to the limited availability of effective antifungal agents. Thus, ocular infections are increasingly recognized as important causes of morbidity and blindness, especially keratitis and endophthalmitis. Thus, this review aims to demonstrate the importance of fungal eye infections through the description of the main related aspects, with emphasis on the treatment of these infections. For this purpose, a search for scientific articles was conducted in databases, such as Medline, published from 2000 onwards, addressing important aspects involving fungal eye infections. In addition, this work highlighted the limited therapeutic arsenal available and the severity associated with these infections. Thus, highlighting the importance of constantly updating knowledge about these pathologies, as it contributes to agility in choosing the available and most appropriate therapeutic alternatives, aiming at positive and minimally harmful results for that particular patient.

Efectividad del moxifloxacino intracameral profiláctico para reducir la endoftalmitis posterior a cirugía de cataratas en población chilena / Effectiveness of prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin to reduce endophthalmitis after cataract surgery

BACKGROUND: Endophthalmitis is a serious infectious complication of cataract surgery, which may lead to vision loss. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of intracameral moxifloxacin in reducing endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in Chilean patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed all phacoemulsification surgeries performed between 2012 and 2020 at a public hospital. The use of intraoperative intracameral moxifloxacin and possible surgical complications were recorded. In patients with postoperative endophthalmitis, we reviewed their risk factors and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: In the study, 22,869 phacoemulsification surgeries were registered, with an annual average of 2,541. The use of prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin started progressively in 2014. In 2018 it was used in 88% of the surgeries. Fifteen eyes evolved with postoperative endophthalmitis, but none of these surgeries used intracameral moxifloxacin. Five and seven cases occurred in 2012 and 2013, respectively. There was a trend favoring moxifloxacin use, as a preventive measure for endophthalmitis, but the difference between groups was not significant (p = 0.56). In the group with endophthalmitis, 33.3% of the eyes were from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in 13.3% there was rupture of the posterior capsule and 60% of the eyes corresponded to female patients. Since 2018 there is no record of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery performed in this center. Conclusions: Intracameral moxifloxacin showed a tendency to reduce the frequency of endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification surgery, but a longer observation period is required to reach statistical significance, due to the low frequency of this complication.

Combined Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for the Treatment of Infectious Keratitis Endophthalmitis: Mexican Endophthalmitis Study Group Protocol 4.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of combined surgical treatment of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty and pars plana vitrectomy in the anatomical and functional outcome of infectious keratitis endophthalmitis. METHODS: This study reviewed the medical records of 4 participating centers in the United States and Mexico. This study included patients with a clinical diagnosis of infectious keratitis endophthalmitis who had been treated with an early therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty and pars plana vitrectomy as the main treatment for endophthalmitis. From each medical record, the study retrieved demographic data, relevant medical and drug history, baseline clinical manifestation of endophthalmitis, best-corrected visual acuity, and the need for enucleation/evisceration for the control of the infection or any other reason through the follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 48 patients (50.15 ± 20.6 years). The mean follow-up time was 13 ± 0.5 months. The mean best-corrected visual acuity at baseline was 2.1 ± 0.25 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. At month 12 was 2.09 ± 0.61 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution ( P = 0.9). The overall prevalence of enucleation/evisceration was 8.3% (95% confidence interval: 2.32%-19.98%). The prevalence of a vision of no-light perception was 20.8% (95% confidence interval: 2.32%-19.98%). CONCLUSIONS: Combined surgery for severe cases of infectious keratitis endophthalmitis eradicates the infection in most cases, while significantly improving the overall outcomes.

Efectividad de la antibioticoterapia sistémica precoz en pacientes con endoftalmitis postraumática / Effectiveness of the early systemic antibiotic therapy in patients with postraumatic endophthalmitis

Introducción: La endoftalmitis postraumática se define como una marcada inflamación de los fluidos y tejidos de las cavidades intraoculares, provocada por la invasión y replicación de microorganismos después de un traumatismo ocular a globo abierto, lo cual puede ocasionar la pérdida de la visión. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la terapia antibiótica sistémica precoz en pacientes con endoftalmitis postraumática. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio cuasiexperimental de 72 pacientes con traumatismo ocular a globo abierto, ingresados en el Centro Oftalmológico del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2017 hasta mayo del 2019. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio simple; los pacientes se distribuyeron en 2 grupos: uno de control con 28 integrantes, a los cuales se le administró el tratamiento farmacológico habitual y otro de estudio con 44, quienes además de lo anterior recibieron terapia antibiótica sistémica. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes masculinos, con edades entre 45 y 54 años (29,5 %); 72,7 % no mostraron antecedentes personales de interés y el trauma ocular ocurrió con más frecuencia en un ambiente rural (77,8 %). La zona 1 fue la más afectada (65,3 %); en 39,3 % de los pacientes la evolución del trauma fue menor de 6 horas, pero en el grupo que no recibió la terapéutica sistémica precoz y presentó endoftalmitis (10,7 %) este tiempo fue mayor, la reparación ocurrió tardíamente. Conclusiones: La terapia antibiótica sistémica precoz fue efectiva en la mayoría de los pacientes que recibieron este tratamiento contra la endoftalmitis postraumática.

Introduction: Postraumatic endophthalmitis is defined as a marked inflammation of the fluids and tissues of the intraocular cavities, caused by the invasion and replication of microorganisms after an ocular traumatism on open globe, that can cause loss of the vision. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the early systemic antibiotic therapy in patients with postraumatic endophthalmitis. Method: A quasi-experiment study of 72 patients with ocular traumatism on open globe was carried out, they were admitted in the Ophthalmologic Center of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2017 to May, 2019. A simple random sampling was carried out; patients were distributed in 2 groups: one of control with 28 members, that received the habitual pharmacological treatment and a study group with 44 members who received systemic antibiotic therapy besides the above-mentioned. Results: Male patients prevailed, aged between 45 and 54 years (29.5 %); 72.7 % didn't show personal history of interest and the ocular trauma happened with more frequency in a rural atmosphere (77.8 %). The area 1 was the most affected (65.3 %); in 39.3 % of the patients the clínical course of trauma was less than 6 hours, but in the group that didn't receive the early systemic therapy and presented endophthalmitis (10,7 %) this time was higher, the repair happened belatedly. Conclusions: The early systemic antibiotic therapy was effective in most of the patients that received this treatment against the postraumatic endophthalmitis.

[Neonatal ophthalmia caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type I]. / Oftalmía neonatal causada por Virus Herpes Simple tipo I.

There are different etiologies of neonatal ophthalmia such as viral ones. Among them, the Herpes simplex virus, both type I and II, is particularly relevant due to its potential severity. It is a rare, in frequent entity, but with a high rate of morbidity and mortality without appropriate diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of neonatal ophthalmia caused by Herpes Virus type I, its clinical characteristics, and correct diagnosis. CLINICAL CASE: 8-days old newborn, with no notable history, presenting edema and erythema of eyelids, accompanied by bilateral ocular discharge. Her pes Virus type I infection was diagnosed by PCR, without evidence of disseminated disease or central nervous system involvement. He received full treatment with intravenous Acyclovir with complete clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes Simplex Virus should always be considered as a diffe rential diagnosis in all neonatal ophthalmia. Early and timely diagnosis and treatment are of vital importance.

Endogenous Streptococcus mitis panophthalmitis in a patient visiting the Dominican Republic.

A 67-year-old woman presented with painful, acute vision loss after 5 days of fever and muscle aches while visiting the Dominican Republic. She had no recent history of ocular surgery, dental work or recent trauma. Anterior chamber aspiration confirmed an initial diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis, positive for Streptococcus mitis that progressed to panophthalmitis on return to Canada. Treatment included systemic antibiotics, intravitreal antibiotics and intravitreal dexamethasone. Despite the best medical treatment, the left eye progressed to corneal perforation 5 weeks after presentation. An evisceration with fitted orbital implant was successful in alleviating pain following the surgery. S. mitis is a rare, but possible cause of endogenous endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis. It was important to work with a multidisciplinary and global team to coordinate and offer appropriate treatment measures. Although vision was lost, evisceration of the left eye provided ocular comfort and good cosmetic outcomes for the patient.

Vancomycin-loaded N,N-dodecyl,methyl-polyethylenimine nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid to treat bacterial endophthalmitis: Development, characterization, and ocular biocompatibility.

Vancomycin-loaded N,N-dodecyl,methyl-polyethylenimine nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid (VCM-DMPEI nanoparticles/HA) were synthesized as an adjuvant for the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis. The nanoparticles were formulated by experimental statistical design, thoroughly characterized, and evaluated in terms of bactericidal activity and both in vitro and in vivo ocular biocompatibility. The VCM-DMPEI nanoparticles/HA were 154 ± 3 nm in diameter with a 0.197 ± 0.020 polydispersity index; had a + 26.4 ± 3.3 mV zeta potential; exhibited a 93% VCM encapsulation efficiency; and released 58% of the encapsulated VCM over 96 h. VCM and DMPEI exhibited a synergistic bactericidal effect. The VCM-DMPEI nanoparticles/HA were neither toxic to ARPE-19 cells nor irritating to the chorioallantoic membrane. Moreover, the VCM-DMPEI nanoparticles/HA did not induce modifications in retinal functions, as determined by electroretinography, and in the morphology of the ocular tissues. In conclusion, the VCM-DMPEI nanoparticles/HA may be a useful therapeutic adjuvant to treat bacterial endophthalmitis.

Minimum inhibitory concentrations and resistance for selected antimicrobial agents (including imipenem, linezolid and tigecycline) of bacteria obtained from eye infections.

Objective: To determine bacteria obtained from eye infections, both resistance and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, tigecycline, linezolid and imipenem, in vitro. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undergone with 50 samples from 50 eyes of patients diagnosed with keratitis or endophthalmitis, who came to a consultation at the Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander (Floridablanca, Colombia) from August to November 2014. The MICs of the isolated microorganisms were established through Etest® strips (BioMérieux SA, Marcy-l'Etoile - France). Results: Of the 50 samples in total, 17 different bacteria species or groups were isolated. The main isolate for gram-positives was Methicillin Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (17 samples), and for gram-negatives was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6 samples). The susceptibility percentages sorted from highest to lowest for gram-positive isolates (n=38) were: imipenem 90.3%, linezolid 87.9%, tigecycline 78.1%, gatifloxacin 68.8% and moxifloxacin 68.8%. For gram-negative isolates (n=12), they were: imipenem 72.7%, gatifloxacin 70%, moxifloxacin 66.7% (no reference cut-off points were found for Pseudomonas aeruginosa), tigecycline 22.2%, and linezolid 0% (as expected according to its inhibition spectrum). Conclusions: Although fourth generation fluoroquinolones are currently the preferred initial empirical monotherapy in our practice, given the increasing bacterial resistance, in cases in which gram-positive bacteria were isolated in the initial staining imipenem, linezolid or tigecycline could be used as an alternative. On the other hand, for cases of gram-negative bacteria, no antimicrobial susceptibility exceeded 80%, so using two antimicrobials looking for a synergy between them could be a better option. Abbreviations: S = Susceptibility, IS = Intermediate susceptibility, R = Resistance.

Characterization and distribution of viridans group streptococci isolated from infectious endophthalmitis and keratitis / Caracterização e distribuição de estreptococos do grupo viridans isolados de endoftalmite infecciosa e ceratite

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aims of this study were to characterize alpha-hemolytic streptococci among isolates from cases of infectious endophthalmitis and keratitis and to determine their distributions. Methods: The sample included 27 and 35 nonduplicated isolates of alpha-hemolytic streptococci recovered from patients with infectious endophthalmitis (2002-2013) and keratitis (2008-2013), respectively. Isolates were identified by the optochin susceptibility and bile solubility tests, using a biochemical identification system. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the broth microdilution method. Molecular identification was performed by analyses of three constitutive genes and the complementary multilocus sequence. The molecular epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated using multilocus sequence typing, and the presence of the capsular polysaccharide-encoding gene was assessed using conventional polymerase chain reaction. Outcomes were evaluated using the patients' medical records. Results: Phenotypic tests differentiated S. pneumoniae from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci, consistent with later molecular identifications. Streptococcus oralis was significantly prevalent among the endophthalmitis isolates, as was S. pneumoniae in the keratitis isolates. High levels of susceptibility to antibiotics were observed, including vancomycin, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. High genetic variability was detected among the 19 S. pneumoniae strains, with 15 predicted to be encapsulated. The medical records of patients with infectious endophthalmitis were reviewed (n=15/27; 56%), and final visual acuity was assessed in 12 cases (44%). Many patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of "no light perception" (6/12; 50%), "light perception" (3/12; 25%), or "hand motion" (1/12; 8%). The medical records of patients with infectious keratitis were also reviewed (n=24/35; 69%), and final visual acuity was assessed in 18 cases (51%). Similarly, most patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of "no light perception" (6/18; 33%), "light perception" (1/18; 6%), or "hand motion" (6/18; 33%). Overall, the majority of patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of "no light perception" (12/30), "light perception" (4/30), or "hand motion" (7/30). Conclusions: The distribution of alpha-hemolytic streptococci in ocular infections suggested the presence of a species-specific tissue tropism. The prognoses of patients with ocular streptococcal infections were highly unfavorable, and antibiotic resistance did not contribute to the unfavorable clinical progressions and poor outcomes.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os estreptococos alfa-hemolíticos isolados de endoftalmite infecciosa e ceratite e determinar sua distribuição. Métodos: A amostra incluiu 27 e 35 isolados não-duplicados de estreptococos alfa-hemolíticos recuperados de pacientes com endoftalmite infecciosa (2002-2013) e ceratite (2008-2013), respectivamente. Os isolados foram identificados pelos testes de suscetibilidade à optoquina e bile solubilidade, utilizando um sistema de identificação bioquímica. A concentração inibitória mínima foi determinada pelo método de microdiluição em caldo. A identificação molecular foi realizada pela análise de três genes constitutivos e análise complementar de sequências multilocus. A epidemiologia molecular do Streptococcus pneumoniae foi investigada por tipagem de sequência multilocus, e a presença do gene codificador do polissacarídeo capsular foi avaliada por reação em cadeia da polymerase convencional. Os resultados foram avaliados utilizando os prontuários médicos dos pacientes. Resultados: Os testes fenotípicos diferenciaram S. pneumoniae dos outros estreptococos alpha-hemolíticos, consistentes com identificações moleculares posteriores. S. oralis foi significativamente prevalente entre os isolados de endoftalmite, assim como S. pneumoniae nos isolados de ceratite. Foram observados altos níveis de suscetibilidade a antibióticos, incluindo vancomicina, cefalosporinas e fluoroquinolonas. Alta variabilidade genética foi detectada entre as 19 cepas de S. pneumoniae, com 15 previstas para serem encapsuladas. Os prontuários médicos dos pacientes com endoftalmite infecciosa foram revisados (n=15/27; 56%), e a acuidade visual final foi avaliada em 12 casos (44%). Muitos pacientes evoluiram para um estado final de acuidade visual de "sem percepção luminosa" (6/12; 50%), "percepção luminosa" (3/12; 25%) ou "movimentos de mãos" (1/12; 8%). Também foram revisados os prontuários médicos dos pacientes com ceratite infecciosa (n=24/35; 69%), e a acuidade visual final foi avaliada em 18 casos (51%). Da mesma foram, a maioria dos pacientes evoluiu para um estado final de acuidade visual de "sem percepção luminosa" (6/18; 33%), "percepção luminosa" (1/18; 6%) ou "movimentos de mãos" (6/18; 33%). No geral, a maioria dos pacientes evoluiu para um estado final de acuidade visual de "sem percepção luminosa" (12/30), "percepção luminosa" (4/30) ou "movimentos de mãos" (7/30). Conclusões: A distribuição de estreptococos alfa-hemolíticos nas infecções oculares sugeriu a presença de um tropismo de tecido específico da espécie. Os prognósticos dos pacientes com infeções oculares por estreptococos foram altamente desfavoráveis e a resistência a antibióticos contribuiu não para as progressões clínicas des­favoráveis e os maus resultados.

Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Kingella Kingae infectious endocarditis / Endoftalmite endógena por endocardite infecciosa devido a Kingella Kingae

Abstract This report presents a rare case of endogenous endophthalmitis due to Kingella kingae infectious endocarditis. Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare condition that has a systemic underlying cause, with hematogenic dissemination of a pathogen that will eventually reach and infect the eye. In this article, we present a case of a 54-year-old woman with fever, chills and decreased visual acuity and pain in the right eye. The slit-lamp exam showed conjunctival injection, anterior chamber reaction with a great amount of fibrinous material obscuring her visual axis. Ultrasound echography revealed profuse exudates and scarce membranous formation in the posterior segment. Blood culture was positive for Kingella kingae, and the patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone, along with topic dexamethasone and mydriatic. After 15 days of intravenous antibiotic therapy, the patient exhibited best visual acuity of 20/60. Endogenous endophthalmitis is an ocular emergency that demands quick diagnosis and aggressive intervention in order to preserve vision. Therefore, it is important to recognize its signs and symptoms with no retard.

Resumo O presente relato apresenta um raro caso de endoftalmite endógena por endocardite devido à Kingella kingae. Endoftalmite endógena é uma doença pouco comum com uma causa sistêmica subjacente. A disseminação hematogênica de um microrganismo infeccioso leva à infecção ocular. Nesse artigo, apresentamos o caso de uma mulher com 54 anos, febre, calafrios, baixa da acuidade visual e dor em olho direito. Ao exame na lâmpada de fenda apresentava injeção conjuntival, reação de câmara anterior e acúmulo de fibrina no eixo visual. Ultrassonografia revelou exsudatos profusos e escassa formação membranosa em segmento posterior.A hemocultura foi positiva para Kingella kingae e a paciente foi tratada com ceftriaxone venoso conjuntamente com dexametasona e midriático tópicos. Após 15 dias de terapia antibiótica endovenosa, a paciente apresentou acuidade visual corrigida de 20/60. Endoftalmite endógena é uma emergência ocular que demanda rápido diagnóstico e intervenção agressiva para preservar a visão. Portanto, é importante o reconhecimento precoce dos sinais e sintomas.

Endoftalmite fúngica bilateral endógena / Bilateral endogenous fungal endophthalmitis

Resumo É apresentado o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 77 anos, internada por pielonefrite e tratada com antibóticos de amplo espectro, tendo desenvolvido endoftalmite endógena bilateral presumida por Candida. Foi submetida à vitrectomia via pars plana e injeção intravítrea de anfotericina B, além de voriconazol oral. São abordados, ainda, os aspectos clínicos da endoftalmite endógena por meio de revisão da literatura.

Abstract A 77 year-old female patient suffering from pyelonephritis developed bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis presumed by Candida after have been treated with global spectrum antibiotics. Early vitrectomy and intravitreal amphotericin B injection were performed, in addition to oral voriconazole. Clinical aspects of endogenous endophthalmitis are also pointed out by a literature review.

The Prevalence of Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, and Acanthamoeba From 3,004 Cases of Keratitis, Endophthalmitis, and Conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: The definitive identification of ocular pathogens optimizes effective treatment. Although the types of ocular pathogens are known; there is less definitive information on the prevalence of causative infections including viruses, fungi, and protozoa, which is the focus of this retrospective laboratory review. METHODS: Data used for laboratory certification were reviewed for the detection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, from patients with infectious keratitis, endophthalmitis, and conjunctivitis. The main outcome parameter was laboratory-positive ocular infection. RESULTS: The distribution of infectious agents for keratitis (n=1,387) (2004-2018) was bacteria 72.1% (Staphylococcus aureus 20.3%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18%, Streptococcus spp. 8.5%, other gram-positives 12.4%, and other gram-negatives 12.9%), Herpes simplex virus 16%, fungi 6.7%, and Acanthamoeba 5.2%. For endophthalmitis, (n=770) (1993-2018), the bacterial distribution was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus 54%, Streptococcus spp. 21%, S. aureus 10%, other gram-positives 8%, and gram-negatives 7%. The distribution for conjunctivitis (n=847) (2004-2018) was Adenovirus 34%, S. aureus 25.5%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 9%, Haemophilus 9%, other gram-negatives 8.8%, other gram-positives 6%, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus 4.5% and Chlamydia 3.2%. CONCLUSION: An updated monitoring of ocular pathogens creates an awareness of the different infectious etiologies and the importance of laboratory studies. This information can determine treatment needs for infectious ocular diseases.

Characterization and distribution of viridans group streptococci isolated from infectious endophthalmitis and keratitis.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to characterize alpha-hemolytic streptococci among isolates from cases of infectious endophthalmitis and keratitis and to determine their distributions. METHODS: The sample included 27 and 35 nonduplicated isolates of alpha-hemolytic streptococci recovered from patients with infectious endophthalmitis (2002-2013) and keratitis (2008-2013), respectively. Isolates were identified by the optochin susceptibility and bile solubility tests, using a biochemical identification system. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the broth microdilution method. Molecular identification was performed by analyses of three constitutive genes and the complementary multilocus sequence. The molecular epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated using multilocus sequence typing, and the presence of the capsular polysaccharide-encoding gene was assessed using conventional polymerase chain reaction. Outcomes were evaluated using the patients' medical records. RESULTS: Phenotypic tests differentiated S. pneumoniae from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci, consistent with later molecular identifications. Streptococcus oralis was significantly prevalent among the endophthalmitis isolates, as was S. pneumoniae in the keratitis isolates. High levels of susceptibility to antibiotics were observed, including vancomycin, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. High genetic variability was detected among the 19 S. pneumoniae strains, with 15 predicted to be encapsulated. The medical records of patients with infectious endophthalmitis were reviewed (n=15/27; 56%), and final visual acuity was assessed in 12 cases (44%). Many patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of "no light perception" (6/12; 50%), "light perception" (3/12; 25%), or "hand motion" (1/12; 8%). The medical records of patients with infectious keratitis were also reviewed (n=24/35; 69%), and final visual acuity was assessed in 18 cases (51%). Similarly, most patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of "no light perception" (6/18; 33%), "light perception" (1/18; 6%), or "hand motion" (6/18; 33%). Overall, the majority of patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of "no light perception" (12/30), "light perception" (4/30), or "hand motion" (7/30). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of alpha-hemolytic streptococci in ocular infections suggested the presence of a species-specific tissue tropism. The prognoses of patients with ocular streptococcal infections were highly unfavorable, and antibiotic resistance did not contribute to the unfavorable clinical progressions and poor outcomes.

Antibiotic resistance profile in eye infections in a reference centre in Floridablanca, Colombia. / Perfil de resistencia antibiótica en infecciones oculares en un centro de referencia en Floridablanca, Colombia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In view of the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, it is necessary to determine it locally in order to serve as a guide in clinical management. The purpose of this study was to characterise the pattern of antibiotic sensitivity in cases of eye infections in a third level ophthalmological institution in Floridablanca (Colombia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study in which an analysis was made of the culture and antibiogram reports of specimens taken from cases of conjunctivitis, infectious keratitis, and endophthalmitis between January 2013 and June 2016. RESULTS: A total of 833 specimens were positive for bacteria. Considering both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms gentamicin, tobramycin, and ciprofloxacin showed high resistance rates (64.4%, 40.3%, and 29.1%, respectively). Moxifloxacin, vancomycin, imipenem, and gatifloxacin showed low percentages of resistance: 2.6%, 2.1%, 0.6%, and 0.4%, respectively. When comparing the results with previous studies in our institution, there was a decrease in sensitivity to the fourth-generation quinolones and imipenem, especially within the gram-negative ones. CONCLUSION: Fourth generation quinolones, imipenem and vancomycin continue to have a low in vitro resistance to bacteria that cause eye infections. However, there was a tendency to an increase in the resistance of gram-negative bacteria. Measures should be taken to try to control this phenomenon, and consider possible antimicrobial therapy alternatives to infections caused by these microorganisms.

Differences in clinical ocular outcomes between exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Sporothrix: a systematic review of published literature.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis caused by Sporothrix species prevalent worldwide, which occasionally can also result in intraocular infection presenting as an exogenous or endogenous infection (disseminated sporotrichosis). Knowledge in its clinical recognition and management is limited. AIMS: To systematically review and analyse data from published literature with a view to comparing clinical outcomes between exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Sporothrix. METHODS: Case reports of intraocular sporotrichosis, published from 1960 to 2016, were retrieved from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS and SciELO databases. The entire data set was divided into two patient groups: (1) exogenous endophthalmitis and (2) endogenous endophthalmitis. Primary outcomes were differences in ocular findings and clinical ocular outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: From 16 publications retrieved, a total of 8 eyes of 8 patients with exogenous endophthalmitis and 13 eyes of 10 patients with endogenous endophthalmitis were identified. Compared with exogenous endophthalmitis, endogenous endophthalmitis was more common in patients infected with HIV (p=0.001) and those from hyperendemic areas (p=0.036). Anterior uveitis (p=0.015) and posterior uveitis (p=0.04) were more common in the exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis groups, respectively. The majority of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis had partial or full clinical resolution of ocular lesions with systemic amphotericin B alone or in combination with an oral antifungal, whereas patients with exogenous endophthalmitis had poor outcomes with irreversible vision loss, enucleation and evisceration. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior uveitis is more common in exogenous endophthalmitis with worse overall outcomes and complications, compared with endogenous endophthalmitis where posterior uveitis is the most common clinical manifestation, especially in patients infected with HIV and those from hyperendemic areas. Sporothrix infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for ocular inflammation, regardless of the presence or absence of autoimmune comorbidities and whether the patient resides in an endemic area or not. Ophthalmologists should consider intravitreal and systemic antifungal therapy for exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Sporothrix.