title: CHORIORETINAL BIOPSY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS DUE TO ESCHERICHIA COLI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the novel use of a chorioretinal biopsy technique to confirm the microbiological diagnosis of endogenous Escherichia coli (E. coli) endophthalmitis, when other investigations have been proven nondiagnostic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report of an 82-year-old white man with endogenous endophthalmitis without a clearly identifiable source of infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After systemic cultures and multiple aqueous and vitreous samples were unable to identify a causative organism, chorioretinal biopsy of a subretinal abscess was used to confirm the microbiological diagnosis. This ensured appropriate ophthalmic and systemic treatment of infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endogenous E. coli endophthalmitis is a rare and aggressive condition usually seen in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes with concurrent urinary tract infection. This case demonstrates chorioretinal biopsy to be a viable and effective method of establishing a firm microbiological diagnosis in cases of culture-negative endophthalmitis.
authors: *Vitreoretinal Unit, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and †Department of Anatomical Pathology, St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Nicholas M
authors: NM
authors: Cheng
authors: Aman
authors: A
authors: Chandra
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Roufail
authors: Jonathan J
authors: JJ
authors: Moodie
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Yeoh
authors: Penelope J
authors: PJ
authors: Allen
authors: Cesar M
authors: CM
authors: Salinas-La Rosa
authors: Bryan J
authors: BJ
authors: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002829:Choroid / Q000382:microbiology; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012160:Retina / Q000382:microbiology