title: Microbiological spectrum of organisms isolated from explanted scleral buckles.
abstract: Scleral buckle removal is an uncommon procedure performed for various reasons. Microbiological information on explanted scleral buckles remains limited. The authors identified 37 cases of scleral buckle removal during an 18-year period. Bacterial cultures isolated an organism in 4 of 9 patients (44%) with clinical infection. Organisms identified included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium abscessus, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species. Bacterial cultures isolated an organism in 3 of 11 patients (27%) without clinical infection. Organisms identified included Nocardia species, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, and Mycobacterium chelonae. Scleral buckles appearing clinically infected may be associated with more virulent organisms and a greater chance of identifying an organism. Bacterial cultures may be of value for scleral buckles upon removal.
authors.affiliation: The Eye Institute, The Medical College of Wisconsin, 925 North 87th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53226-4812, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Wirostko
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Covert
authors.forename: Dennis P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: Judy E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hammersley
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindgren