Endophtalmies aiguës : du germe à la clinique

Endophthalmitis: a bibliometric study and visualization analysis from 1993 to 2023

Aims

This study is designed to generalize and depict the research hotspots of endophthalmitis through bibliometric methods and software and analyze the evolutive tendency of the work on this severe disease over the past 30 years.

Methods

This study employed a rigorous bibliometric approach. We identified all endophthalmitis-related literature by conducting a comprehensive search of the Science Citation Index Expanded database under the Web of Science Core Collection. The data was then analyzed and visualized using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, two widely recognized software tools in the field of bibliometrics. CiteSpace was used to analyze the country distributions, dual map overlay of journals, keyword bursts, and co-cited references. VOSviewer was employed to describe the authors and co-cited authors, the journals, the co-cited journals, and the keywords co-occurrence network. This robust methodology ensures the reliability and validity of the study's findings.

Results

A total of 2960 publications, including 2695 articles and 265 reviews, were included in this bibliometric study. There has been no shortage of endophthalmitis-related publications since 1993, with an apparent upward trend during recent years. Possible correlations with the COVID-19 pandemic are also analyzed. These studies were finished by 11,048 authors from 75 countries worldwide, with the United States in the lead. In the keyword co-occurrence network, except for the endophthalmitis term, cataract surgery becomes the keyword with the highest frequency. Different categories of endophthalmitis, including postoperative, post-injection, post-traumatic, and endogenous endophthalmitis, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapies of infectious endophthalmitis, are discussed by categories. From the perspective of the timeline, postoperative and post-injection endophthalmitis were the dominant forms before and after the year 2000, respectively. Co-citation analyses reveal that the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) conducted in 1995 provides pivotal guidance for later research. Diverse pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Propionibacterium acnes, Viridians Streptococci, and Bacillus cereus) or fungi (e.g., Candida, Aspergillus, and Fusarium) contribute to varying treatment principles and clinical prognosis, which should be taken seriously. In addition, intravitreal and intracameral antibiotics are the mainstay for treating and preventing infectious endophthalmitis, respectively.

Conclusion

Our bibliometric analysis provides an overview of dynamic evolution and structural relationships in the research field of endophthalmitis. The displayed hotspots and developmental directions have reference values for future investigation.

[Rational approach for the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis in impoverished populations]

Due to the need for treatment guidelines for endophthalmitis in impoverished areas, we have formulated an approach which takes into account pharmacokinetic data, keeping in mind that, whether oral or intramuscular, antibiotics must achieve therapeutic intraocular levels, antibiotic susceptibility of the most common pathogens in endophthalmitis, and routine availability of bioequivalent generics in the areas in question. In this work, we present the basic guidelines for the management of postoperative endophthalmitis by ophthalmology services in impoverished areas.

[Bacterial endophthalmitis: retrospective clinical and microbiological study in Rabat Specialty Hospital]

OBJECTIVES

To study and discuss the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, and risk factors of bacterial endophthalmitis treated in the Rabat Specialty Hospital ophthalmology department.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study over a period of 10 months of patients hospitalized for suspected acute infectious endophthalmitis. An intake form was completed for each patient. Each sample underwent direct examination and culture. All patients underwent the same protocol, providing for at least one intravitreal antibiotic injection and instillation of fortified eye drops.

RESULTS

Twenty cases of endophthalmitis were recorded during the study period. Decreased visual acuity, intraocular inflammation, pain and conjunctival hyperemia were found in all patients. The median onset of symptoms was 4 days. Vitreous tap or anterior chamber paracentesis was performed in all patients. Bacteria were found in seven samples (40%). Gram positive organisms accounted for 85% of positive cultures. Amphotericin B was required in four patients, and systemic antibiotic therapy in ten patients. Corticosteroid treatment was administered secondarily in eight patients.

DISCUSSION

In this retrospective series, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data are consistent with those already published.