title: Postinjection Endophthalmitis Rates and Characteristics Following Intravitreal Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab, and Aflibercept.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the incidence and clinical outcomes of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All included patients had received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or aflibercept between January 1, 2009 and September 30, 2013 at 5 retina practices. Billing records were used to identify the total number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections administered. Patients who developed endophthalmitis were ascertained from endophthalmitis logs and billing records. Chart review of these patients was performed to confirm that the endophthalmitis was related to the antecedent anti-VEGF injection. Visual outcomes, causative organisms, and clinical course were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 503 890 anti-VEGF injections were included, from which 183 cases of presumed endophthalmitis were identified. The rate of endophthalmitis for bevacizumab was 0.039% (60/153 812), which was similar to ranibizumab 0.035% (109/309 722; P = .522) and aflibercept 0.035% (14/40 356; P = .693). Similarly, there was no difference in the rates between ranibizumab and aflibercept (P = .960). The culture-positive rate of the vitreous/aqueous tap was 38% for both bevacizumab and ranibizumab and was 43% for aflibercept. Furthermore, visual acuity remained decreased at 3 months follow-up for bevacizumab (P = .005), ranibizumab (P < .001), and aflibercept (P = .07) compared to vision at causative injection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept injection appears to occur at similar rates and have comparable visual outcomes. This study suggests that the choice of anti-VEGF agent should be primarily based on efficacy and patient response rather than concern for risk of infection.
authors.affiliation: Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Mid Atlantic Retina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Nadim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rayess
authors.affiliation: Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Mid Atlantic Retina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rahimy
authors.affiliation: Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Mid Atlantic Retina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Storey
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Chirag P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Associated Retinal Consultants at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan.
authors.forename: Jeremy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.affiliation: Retina Consultants of Houston, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Southeastern Retina Associates, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Francis Char
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: DeCroos
authors.affiliation: Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Mid Atlantic Retina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Sunir J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.affiliation: Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Mid Atlantic Retina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: jhsu@midatlanticretina.com.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D058449:Intravitreal Injections / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C533178:aflibercept; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D000069579:Ranibizumab