Management Options for Propionibacterium acnes Endophthalmitis

The authors reviewed the management of nine culture-proven cases of Propionibactenum acnes endophthalmitis which presented at an average of 4 months after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. The initial signs included a white intracapsular plaque (9/9), vitritis (9/9), granulomatous uveitis (4/9), nongranulomatous uveitis (5/9), hypopyon (4/9), beaded fibrin strands in the anterior chamber (3/9), and diffuse intraretinal hemorrhages (2/9). A variety of management schemes were used in these patients, including the following: topical and intravenous antibiotics alone; intraocular and topical antibiotic administration; pars plana vitrectomy with capsulectomy and intraocular antibiotic administration; and removal of all capsular remnants with PC IOL removal or exchange. The final visual acuities ranged from 20/20 to 20/60 in six eyes and 20/200 to 20/400 in three eyes. This review suggests that a variety of management options for P. acnes endophthalmitis appear to be successful. Based on the authors' experience, an algorithm for future treatment is offered

Delayed- Versus Acute-Onset Endophthalmitis After Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a large consecutive case series of patients who developed delayed-onset and acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive case series. METHODS: The current study is a retrospective consecutive case series of patients treated between January 2000 and December 2009 for culture-proven endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. The study defined two groups after cataract surgery: acute-onset endophthalmitis (≤ 6 weeks after surgery) and delayed-onset endophthalmitis (> 6 weeks after surgery). RESULTS: A total of 118 patients met study criteria and included 26 delayed-onset cases and 92 acute-onset cases. The following clinical features and outcomes occurred in delayed versus acute-onset cases: (1) the presenting visual acuity was ≤ 5/200 in 31% versus 89%, (2) hypopyon was found in 46% versus 80%, (3) the most frequent isolate was Propionibacterium acnes (11/26) versus coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (57/92), (4) patients with the most frequent isolate achieved a visual outcome of ≥ 20/100 in 91% versus 56%. In delayed-onset cases, the intraocular lens was removed or exchanged in 19/26 (73%). Of these 19 cases, 13 achieved a visual outcome of ≥ 20/100. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with delayed-onset endophthalmitis generally presented with better initial visual acuities, had a lower frequency of hypopyon, and had better visual outcomes compared to acute-onset patients. Propionibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were the most common organisms cultured in delayed and acute-onset categories, respectively, and were associated with the best visual acuity outcomes in each group