Stenotrophomonas maltophilia endophthalmitis after intraocular lens implantation

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic, gram-negative bacillus. Endophthalmitis induced by S. maltophilia has been described in only two cases after intraocular lens implantation. We report S. maltophilia endophthalmitis in two patients with diabetes mellitus after intraocular lens implantation and compare the characteristics of the S. maltophilia-induced endophthalmitis with two previous cases.Methods: A 68-year-old woman and a 74-year-old man with diabetes mellitus developed S. maltophilia endophthalmitis within 5 days of intraocular lens implantation. We performed intraocular lens removal and vitrectomy, which resolved the inflammation. No recurrences were found.Results: Cultures grew S. maltophilia in both cases, and one of the organisms was multiresistant. The final visual acuity was counting fingers and 0.3. The first case revealed a tractional retinal detachment during vitrectomy.  Conclusions: S. maltophilia is a potential opportunistic intraocular pathogen, and the incidence of multiresistant S. maltophilia is increasing. S. maltophilia causes acute endophthalmitis, and its prognosis may not be poor unless the eye has a history of serious disease before the cataract surgery. The combined procedure of intraocular lens removal and vitrectomy was useful in resolving the inflammation and preventing recurrences. Received: 9 June 1999 Revised: 6 September 1999 Accepted: 22 September 1999