title: Chronic endophthalmitis mimicking an endothelial immune reaction after penetrating keratoplasty.
abstract: We describe a patient with chronic inflammation after combined penetrating keratoplasty and cataract surgery. This condition has been considered an unusual endothelial immune reaction. Cytopathological examination of the aqueous humor showed abundant neutrophil granulocytes, a few macrophages, and sparse lymphocytes. The predominance of neutrophil granulocytes but no macrophages or lymphocytes, as found in cases of an endothelial immune reaction, was interpreted as evidence of chronic endophthalmitis. Cytopathological evaluation of aqueous humor can be a helpful tool for differentiating between an endothelial immune reaction and chronic endophthalmitis after combined PKP and cataract surgery.
authors.affiliation: Eye Hospital and Lions Cornea Bank, North Rhine Westfalia, Dusseldorf, Germany. thomas.reinhard@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reinhard
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böcking
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sundmacher
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged