Useful visual outcomes after treatment of Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis.
OBJECTIVE
Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis occurring after penetrating ocular trauma has been almost always associated with a poor visual outcome. The purpose of our study was to review and report patients who had useful visual acuity outcomes.


METHODS
The study group consisted of five patients from a single medical center with penetrating ocular trauma and endophthalmitis caused by B. cereus. The study population was derived from a review of the microbiology records, clinical records, and operative reports of patients with culture-proven, post-traumatic endophthalmitis over a 15-year period. Patients were only included if the final visual acuity outcomes were 20/200 or better.


RESULTS
All five patients had penetrating ocular injuries, and four patients had a retained intraocular foreign body. Endophthalmitis was diagnosed preoperatively in three patients and intraoperatively in two patients. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy and injection of intravitreal and periocular antibiotics. Postoperatively, a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment developed in three patients between 4 weeks and 12 months after the injury (average, 19 weeks); all retinal detachments were reattached with additional vitreoretinal surgery. Final postoperative visual acuities were 20/200 (two patients), 20/30 (one patient), and 20/25 (two patients). The postoperative follow-up time interval ranged from 12 months to 30 months (average, 19.2 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The current series adds further support to the observation that certain eyes with post-traumatic B. cereus endophthalmitis may be associated with preservation of anatomic integrity and restoration of useful visual acuity.
Foster
R E
RE
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA.
Martinez
J A
JA
Murray
T G
TG
Rubsamen
P E
PE
Flynn
H W
HW
Forster
R K
RK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology; D016863:Bacillaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents