Endogenous endophthalmitis after otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of bacterial endophthalmitis after otitis media in a healthy adult.


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
A healthy 49-year-old Caucasian woman developed acute otitis media of the right ear. Three weeks after the first onset there was a recurrence of the otitis media, with perforation of the tympanic membrane. Two days after this, the woman presented at our clinic with endophthalmitis of the right eye.


RESULTS
A culture of vitreous material grew Streptococcus pyogenes (Streptococcus Lancefield group A). The same strain was found in a smear from the perforated ear. Despite aggressive treatment, the affected eye had to be eviscerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Otitis media can result in a bacteremia. This may, even in a healthy adult, lead to a devastating endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis.
Siegersma
Jan Eize
JE
Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands. J.Siegersma@ohk.umcn.nl
Klont
Rob R
RR
Tilanus
Mauk A D
MA
Verbeek
Ad M
AM
Schülin
Tanja
T
Cruysberg
Johannes R M
JR
Deutman
August F
AF
D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017234:Eye Evisceration; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000382:microbiology