title: Chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Actinomyces neuii.
abstract: Uneventful phacoemulsification with implantation of a foldable, acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens was performed in the right eye of a 73-year-old white man. Postoperatively, the patient developed a chronic, low-grade intraocular inflammation. Cultures from the aqueous specimen grew Actinomyces neuii, an unusual gram-positive bacillus. The low-grade intraocular inflammation persisted with intensive topical steroid-antibiotic medication and systemic antibiotics. A diagnostic, 3-port, pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and aqueous aspirate specimens were sent for culture and sensitivity and to look for abnormal cells. Intracameral antibiotics were not injected. The specimens were sterile to culture, and chronic inflammatory cells were reported on the vitreous specimen. On examination 6 months later, inflammation had not recurred and the best corrected visual acuity was 6/18.
authors.affiliation: The Royal Eye Infirmary, Plymouth, United Kingdom. vasant317@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vasant S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Bharat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shreshta
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000382:microbiology