Exogenous Neisseria meningitidis endophthalmitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of Neisseria meningitidis endophthalmitis in association with a leaking filtering bleb and to consider antibiotic prophylaxis of those people with whom the patient had contact.


METHODS
We treated an 81-year-old man who had a chronic, leaking filtering bleb and who developed exogenous N meningitidis endophthalmitis.


RESULTS
N meningitidis endophthalmitis was controlled with antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic prophylaxis for those with whom the patient had contact was not recommended.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case, the N meningitidis strain was not considered invasive because the bacteria apparently entered the eye through a leaky filtering bleb and not through the bloodstream. Recovery of noninvasive N meningitidis does not require prophylaxis for patient contacts. In cases of endogenous or idiopathic N meningitidis endophthalmitis, antibiotic prophylaxis of close patient contacts may be warranted.
Saperstein
D A
DA
Emory Eye Center, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. dsapers@emory-edu
Bennett
M D
MD
Steinberg
J P
JP
Reddy
V M
VM
Aaberg
T M
TM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D018463:Filtering Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents