Listeria monocytogenes-induced endogenous endophthalmitis in an otherwise healthy individual: rapid PCR-diagnosis as the basis for effective treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Listeria monocytogenes is a rare cause of endogenous endophthalmitis. To date 15 cases have been published in the literature. All eyes showed similar clinical features and profound visual loss mainly due to delayed diagnosis.


METHODS
An additional case of an otherwise healthy 73 year-old male, who was referred to our hospital because of acute iridocyclitis with secondary glaucoma, is reported. Within a few days the severity of the intraocular infection increased dramatically, resulting in the clinical picture of acute endophthalmitis.


RESULTS
In contrast to most published cases, early identification of the causative pathogen in the aqueous humor after anterior chamber puncture using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the initiation of a specific, systemic antibiotic medication, resulted in-complete recovery of visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR is very useful for the identification of the pathogen in intraocular infections.
Lohmann
C P
CP
University Eye Clinic, Regensburg, Germany. chris.lohmann@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Gabel
V P
VP
Heep
M
M
Linde
H J
HJ
Reischl
U
U
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D010406:Penicillins; D000667:Ampicillin