Endophthalmitis Caused by Alcaligenes Faecalis: A Case Series

Abstract

Purpose: To profile the etiology, clinical outcomes and drug sensitivity patterns in endophthalmitis caused by Alcaligenes faecalis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all the cases of A. faecalis endophthalmitis presenting to tertiary referral care ophthalmic hospital in Eastern India from January 2009 to December 2012 was done.

Results: A total of five cases were included in the study. Out of the five cases, one was of endogenous origin and the rest were post cataract surgery. All but one case underwent vitreo-retinal surgical intervention followed by intravitreal antibiotics. Alcaligenes faecalis was isolated in all the cases. Sensitivity to ceftazidime, aminoglycosides and ciprofloxacin was 20%, 60% and 80%, respectively. Two patients attained a final visual acuity of 6/24. One eye became phthisical in due course.

Conclusion. Alcaligenes faecalis is a very rare cause of endophthalmitis. Aminoglycosides and fluroquinolones can be considered as main line of treatment.     

Diagnostic Utility of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction versus Culture in Endophthalmitis and Uveitis

Purpose: To compare genetic testing for microbes in infectious endophthalmitis or uveitis to culture.Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center case series that enrolled patients with clinically suspected endophthalmitis or uveitis of unknown etiology. Aqueous humor or vitreous was collected and sent for routine cultures and genetic testing.Results: In total, 46 patients were enrolled. Genetic testing was positive in 32/46 (70%) cases and culture 6/46 cases (13%). Five of 16 uveitis cases had a final clinical diagnosis of infectious uveitis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive in 4/5 cases (80%), versus 0% for culture. In uveitis cases, PCR was 80% sensitive and 82% specific, and culture had 0% sensitivity. The overall sensitivity and specificity of PCR for all cases were 85% and 67%, respectively, compared with 17% and 100% for culture.Conclusion: Genetic assays are inexpensive ($25/case) and more sensitive than culture for identifying intraocular pathogens in endophthalmitis and uveitis.     

Endogenous Endophthalmitis in Patients with MRSA Septicemia: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Purpose: To report the presentation, predisposing factors, clinical features and outcome in 6 eyes of 3 patients with endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) septicaemia.

Methods: Retrospective review of case records of 3 patients who were treated for endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to MRSA septicaemia in a tertiary referral institution.

Results: All three patients had systemic predisposition to endogenous endophthalmitis (diabetes, urosepsis). Two patients presented within 1 week of onset of visual symptoms and the third after 3 months. Blood culture was positive for MRSA in all patients. Visual and anatomical improvement was noted in two patients who presented early. The third patient’s visual outcome despite early treatment with intravitreal antibiotics and vitrectomy was not satisfactory.

Conclusion: Endogenous endophthalmitis by MRSA is a rare but serious condition. Early and specific therapy based on reliable detection of the underlying microorganism is needed for good anatomical and functional outcome.     

The Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS)-1 Report 3: Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Diagnosis and Management of Tubercular Uveitis: Global Trends

Purpose: To analyze the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of ocular fluids in management of tubercular (TB) anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis.

Methods: In Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS)-1 (25 centers, n = 962), patients with TB-related uveitis were included. 59 patients undergoing PCR of intraocular fluids (18 females; 53 Asian Indians) were included.

Results: 59 (6.13%) of COTS-1 underwent PCR analysis. PCR was positive for Mycobacterium TB in 33 patients (23 males; all Asian Indians). 26 patients were PCR negative (18 males). Eight patients with negative PCR had systemic TB. Anti-TB therapy was given in 18 negative and 31 PCR cases. At 1-year follow-up, five patients with positive PCR (15.15%) and three with negative PCR (11.54%) had persistence/worsening of inflammation.

Conclusions: Data from COTS-1 suggest that PCR is not commonly done for diagnosing intraocular TB and positive/negative results may not influence management or treatment outcomes in the real world scenario.     

Multifocal Visual Evoked Potential (mfVEP) and Pattern-Reversal Visual Evoked Potential Changes in Patients with Visual Pathway Disorders: A Case Series

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) and pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (PVEP) changes in patients with pathology at various levels of the visual pathway determined by other methods. Six patients with different visual pathway disorders, including vascular ischaemic events and compressive optic neuropathy, were reviewed. All patients were tested with both mfVEP and full-field and half-field PVEPs. Results were assessed in relation to other diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, Humphrey visual field test, and optical coherence topography. The cases in this study demonstrate a potential higher sensitivity of mfVEP compared with conventional PVEPs in detecting lesions affecting the peripheral field, horizontal hemifields, and lesions of the post-chiasmal pathway. The limitation of the PVEP in this setting is probably due to phase cancellation and overrepresentation of the macular region. mfVEP provides a more accurate assessment of visual defects when compared with conventional PVEP. The independent assessment of different areas of the visual field improves the detection and localization of lesions and provides an objective topographical map that can be used in clinical practice as an adjunct to other diagnostic tests and to assess disease progression.     

Multifocal Visual Evoked Potential (mfVEP) and Pattern-Reversal Visual Evoked Potential Changes in Patients with Visual Pathway Disorders: A Case Series

The purpose of this study was to evaluate multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) and pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (PVEP) changes in patients with pathology at various levels of the visual pathway determined by other methods. Six patients with different visual pathway disorders, including vascular ischaemic events and compressive optic neuropathy, were reviewed. All patients were tested with both mfVEP and full-field and half-field PVEPs. Results were assessed in relation to other diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, Humphrey visual field test, and optical coherence topography. The cases in this study demonstrate a potential higher sensitivity of mfVEP compared with conventional PVEPs in detecting lesions affecting the peripheral field, horizontal hemifields, and lesions of the post-chiasmal pathway. The limitation of the PVEP in this setting is probably due to phase cancellation and overrepresentation of the macular region. mfVEP provides a more accurate assessment of visual defects when compared with conventional PVEP. The independent assessment of different areas of the visual field improves the detection and localization of lesions and provides an objective topographical map that can be used in clinical practice as an adjunct to other diagnostic tests and to assess disease progression.