Pseudomonas-induced bilateral endophthalmitis with corneal perforation in a neonate

Spontaneous Globe Rupture Due to Rapidly Evolving Endogenous Hypermucoid Klebsiella Pneumoniae Endophthalmitis

In this retrospective report, the authors describe a rare case of spontaneous globe rupture from Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis in a middle-aged man with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. There have been only four previously reported cases of spontaneous globe rupture from endophthalmitis. Out of the now five reported cases, all have been due to endogenous endophthalmitis, four have been due to gram-negative bacteria, and three have been due to K. pneumoniae. K. pneumoniae, especially the hypermucoid variant with a protective polysaccharide capsule, is an emerging pathogen with remarkable virulence. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:600-601.].

Neonatal Orbital Abscess Secondary to Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Conjunctivitis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa conjunctivitis, although rare in healthy infants, may cause serious ocular and systemic complications. A 30-day-old, otherwise healthy male infant was referred with the diagnosis of right orbital abscess. The patient had been diagnosed as having Pseudomonas conjunctivitis 9 days previously at the referring center. Despite antibiotic treatment, his ocular findings had worsened and marked proptosis had developed. Other examination findings were ptosis, restriction of eye movements, periorbital erythema, and chemosis. Radiologic studies showed a large, homogenous mass with a thick capsule in the lateral retrobulbar orbit. The abscess was drained through a lateral orbitotomy. A culture of the abscess yielded P. aeruginosa. After surgery, the ocular findings improved rapidly without any complication. No other focus of infection or immune system abnormality was found. The patient did not experience any other significant disease during a follow up of 23 months.

Pediatric infectious endophthalmitis: a review

Infectious endophthalmitis is a rare but severe complication of septecemia, intraocular surgeries, or penetrating eye trauma. The etiology, prognosis, and management of pediatric endophthalmitis resulting from exogenous and endogenous infections are reviewed. Open-globe trauma and glaucoma surgery are the most frequent causes of endophthalmitis in children, whereas endogenous infection is the least common cause. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species are common bacterial agents in both posttraumatic and postoperative pediatric endophthalmitis, whereas Candida albicans is a commonly reported organism in endogenous endophthalmitis. Additionally, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae appear more likely as pathogens in children than in adults. The clinical manifestations and outcome usually correlate with the virulence of the infecting organism. The visual prognosis of endophthalmitis is generally poor.

Treatment outcomes and clinicomicrobiological characteristics of a protocol-based approach for neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis

PURPOSE

To describe the outcomes and clinicomicrobiological profile of 11 years of a protocol-based management in neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective interventional study of endogenous endophthalmitis in 31 eyes of 26 neonates. The protocol for active infection included systemic antimicrobials, vitreous and/or aqueous tap, and intravitreal antimicrobials under topical or general anesthesia along with core vitrectomy in selected cases. Blood, urine, umbilicus, aqueous, and vitreous samples underwent microbiological evaluation. Retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment were done when indicated. Primary outcome was anatomic status assessed by comprehensive eye examination and by fundus photography whenever possible.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of 26 babies (81%) were preterm. Two types of presentations included those with a fulminant appearance (24 eyes) and those with focal retinitis detected during routine screening (7 eyes). Vitreous culture was positive in 12/20 eyes (60%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8) was the most common isolate. Incorrect initial diagnosis was common. Treatment included intravitreal injections in 26 eyes, 10 of which also underwent vitrectomy. Twenty-four of the 26 patients (92%) received parenteral antimicrobials and 17 had evidence of systemic infection. All eyes with a fulminant presentation developed phthisis, while all focal fungal cases were salvaged.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis has 2 distinct presentations. Focal retinal infections have good visual and anatomical outcomes while fulminant nosocomial cases do poorly. Management under topical anesthesia can be an alternative strategy for sick babies that cannot undergo surgery under general anesthesia due to systemic morbidity. Awareness about early diagnostic signs may help early referral.

Neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis: a report of six cases

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare but potentially blinding complication of neonatal sepsis. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential to avoid vision loss. Therapeutic options include systemic and intravitreal antibiotics, as well as vitrectomy in selected cases. We report a series of 6 premature very low birth weight neonates who developed endogenous endophthalmitis in our NICU over the past 3 years. Endophthalmitis was part of early-onset sepsis in 2 newborns, both of whom died, and late-onset sepsis in 4 newborns, of which 1 infant died. None of the neonates had any history of previous trauma or intervention to the eye. Maternal screening for congenital infections, including HIV, was negative in all. Causative organisms included Klebsiella pneumoniae (2 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2 cases), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1 case), and Candida albicans (1 case). All bacterial isolates showed resistance to first-line antibiotics. Of the 3 survivors, 2 infants had normal vision in the affected eye, and 1 developed phthisis bulbi after corneal perforation and required enucleation. This report draws attention to the emergence of endophthalmitis as a complication of neonatal sepsis in places where, although survival of very low birth weight newborns has increased significantly due to improved care, the burden of infection continues to be high. We emphasize the importance of daily examination of eyes as a part of routine clinical care in septic newborns for early diagnosis of endophthalmitis and prompt intervention in consultation with an ophthalmologist to optimize the outcome.

Uncommon ophthalmologic disorders in intensive care unit patients

Ophthalmologic complications are frequently encountered in intensive care unit (ICU) patients (Grixti et al. Ocul Surf 2012;10(1):26-42). However, eye care is often overlooked in the critical care setting or just limited to the ocular surface because treatment is focussed on the management of organ failures. Lack of awareness about other less common intraocular sight-threatening conditions may have a devastating effect on the patient's vision. To identify specific, frequently missed uncommon ocular disorders in ICU, a literature review using the keywords "Intensive Care," "Eye care," "ITU," "ICU," "Ophthalmological disorders," "Eye disorders" was performed. The databases of CINAHL, PuBMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched. The higher quality studies are summarized in the table with statements of methodology to clarify the level of evidence. The most prevalent ophthalmologic disorders identified in critically ill subjects include exposure keratopathy, chemosis, and microbial keratitis. In addition, uncommon eye disorders reported in ICU include metastatic endogenous endophthalmitis, acute primary angle closure, ischemic optic neuropathy, pupil abnormalities, vascular occlusions, and rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis. Early diagnosis and effective treatment will help to prevent visual loss.

Intraocular infections in the neonatal intensive care unit

Background

The purpose of this study was to report on the incidence and treatment outcomes of endogenous endophthalmitis among newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a single medical center.

Methods

This was a noncomparative, retrospective case series of endogenous endophthalmitis among infants at the Jackson Memorial Hospital NICU treated between March 1, 2002 and March 1, 2007.

Results

Of 4323 infants admitted to the NICU, seven eyes of six (0.139%) infants (two males, four females) were diagnosed with endophthalmitis during the study period. Four patients were born prematurely with a mean gestational age of 27.5 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1153 g. Retinopathy of prematurity was reported in two of the six patients. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive cultures or polymerase chain reaction testing at a median age of 34 postnatal days. Positive cultures included Candida albicans (n = 4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1), and Herpes simplex type 2 (n = 1). All patients received systemic treatment and five received adjunctive ophthalmic interventions, including intravitreal antibiotics in five eyes of four patients and vitrectomy with pars plana lensectomy in three eyes. One patient underwent primary enucleation and another had delayed evisceration. In the remaining five eyes, there was a normal appearing posterior segment and normal intraocular pressures at last follow-up.

Conclusion

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare complication in infants in the NICU, but may occur in patients with candidemia, bacteremia, retinopathy of prematurity, and low birth weight. Despite early and appropriate treatment, involved eyes may have poor outcomes.

Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a preterm infant: a case report

Endophthalmitis is an infection of the vitreous or aqueous humor of the eye. Although it rarely occurs in the neonatal period it has been previously diagnosed in preterm infants.Endogenous endophthalmitis is when eye infection is secondary to septicemia and represent 20% of the cases of endophthalmitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for more than 75% of invasive neonatal eye infections. The course of pseudomonal endophthalmitis is typically fulminant, developing over hours even in early diagnosis. For survivors, the usual result is blindness of the affected eye.We report the case of a preterm infant who developed septicemia and was later diagnosed as having a pseudomonas endophthalmitis.

Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis due to pseudomonas aeruginosa in a neonate

BACKGROUND

Bacterial eye infections are rare in the neonatal population and usually come from exogenous spread. Eye infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, although uncommon, may be a devastating disease, especially in premature infants.

METHODS

Retrospective review of the clinical chart of a 10-day-old newborn baby with bilateral endogenous Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis.

RESULTS

The patient presented with leukokoria in both eyes 7 days after the onset of severe septicemia due to endophthalmitis in both eyes. The baby received systemic treatment with meropenem and vancomycin, which the cultured bacteria were susceptible to, but the infection progressed. Intravitreal ceftazidime treatment and later vitrectomy could not prevent complete retina detachment and the progressive evolution to phthisis.

CONCLUSION

Aggressive therapy including systemic antibiotics, intravitreous antibiotic injection, and vitrectomy could not prevent a poor outcome leading to retinal detachment and blindness in both eyes. A discussion of the treatment options and a review of the literature are also included.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis in a preterm infant

Bacterial endophthalmitis is rare in the neonatal period. It occurs in susceptible individuals such as preterm infants. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacillus, has been identified as the causative organism in more than 75% of invasive neonatal eye infections. The source may be endogenous; secondary to septicemia or exogenous, including reports of nosocomial infections and those infections arising from the birth canal. We report the case of a preterm infant who developed pseudomonas endophthalmitis, septicemia, and meningitis after a corneal abrasion.