Endophthalmitis Following Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

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.

Post intravitreal bevacizumab recurrent Burkholderia cepacia endophthalmitis treated with clear lens extraction in an African

Purpose

To report the successful treatment of post intravitreal bevacizumab recurrent Burkholderia cepacia endophthalmitis managed with a clear lens extraction and posterior capsulectomy.

Observation

A 34-year-old female African, known SC hemoglobinopathy patient, presented with bilateral blur in vision and floaters of a week duration; worse in her right eye. Her visual acuity was right eye 6/9 (20/30) and left eye 6/6 (20/20). Her anterior segment examination was normal in both eyes. On fundus examination, she had a right eye vitreous hemorrhage and bilateral active Sea-fan neovascular proliferation in the retina periphery. Following the administration of bilateral simultaneous intravitreal bevacizumab, she presented 4 days later with a right eye infective endophthalmitis. She suffered multiple recurrences despite adequate treatment, including a vitrectomy with silicone oil injection. Multiple microbiological assessment of intraocular extracts confirmed persistent Burkholderia cepacia infection. A wide ring-shaped opaque plaque was noticed on the posterior capsule of her clear lens. A decision was taken to perform a lensectomy and posterior capsulectomy. This resulted in immediate resolution of hypopyon and all intraocular inflammation. Vision improved from Hand Motion to 6/18 (20/60).

Conclusion and importance

This report suggests than in some cases of recurrent, difficult to treat, Burkholderia cepacia endophthalmitis, since the organism may have colonized the posterior lens capsule, the eye and vision can be salvaged by timely removal of a clear lens and capsulectomy. Clear lens removal has not been previously reported for treating recurrent Burkholderia cepacia endophthalmitis.

Endophthalmitis Rates after Bilateral Same-Day Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections

PURPOSE

To evaluate practice patterns for bilateral same-day intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections and determine the rate of unilateral and bilateral postinjection endophthalmitis after bilateral same-day intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

The records of a large academic private practice were electronically queried for all office visits, during which bilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were performed between April 1, 2012 and August 21, 2017 for patients with a diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, or retinal vein occlusion. Demographic information and indication for injection were recorded for each patient and office visit. Charts of patients with endophthalmitis were reviewed, and information was collected on presentation examination, culture data, and visual outcomes.

RESULTS

During the study period, 101 932 bilateral same-day intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were performed over 50 966 office visits for 5890 patients. The mean (standard deviation) age of patients in this cohort was 74.2 (14.1) years and 60.6% of patients were female. The 2 most common indications for injection were neovascular age-related macular degeneration (54.3% of patients) and diabetic macular edema (35.4% of patients). Twenty-eight cases of endophthalmitis (0.027% of total injections) occurred during the study period. There were no cases of bilateral endophthalmitis, and no patients had more than 1 occurrence of endophthalmitis.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of patients undergoing bilateral same-day intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, there were no cases of bilateral endophthalmitis. Additionally, the overall rate of unilateral endophthalmitis was low and comparable to prior studies of unilateral injections. These results support the safety of bilateral same-day intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment.

Causative Pathogens in Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents

Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor is currently the preferred treatment for several posterior segment diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, as well as macular edema and retinal vein occlusion. As an invasive procedure it involves risks. The most significant risk is infectious endophthalmitis, a sight-threatening and even a globe-threatening acute fulminant condition. Most common pathogens include Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species, surprisingly originating from the patient's, surgeon's, or nurse's mouth. Infectious endophthalmitis may have devastating and irreversible effect, with Streptococcus-induced cases having the worst visual outcome. It is therefore crucial for clinicians to promptly recognize and treat such conditions, and, far more important, to put in place protective and preventive measures against this rare, but sight-threatening complication. To that end, this paper describes the most common pathogens causing endophthalmitis after IVI of anti-VEGF, and defines their source, to aid the physician in developing strategies to prevent this catastrophic infection.

Current Infectious Endophthalmitis Rates After Intravitreal Injections of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents and Outcomes of Treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence and outcomes of infectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patient records at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2014, were reviewed. The largest commercial claims and encounters database in the U.S. (MarketScan) was utilized to calculate the population-based endophthalmitis rate for 2011 to 2013.

RESULTS

The population-based rate of endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF injections for 2011 to 2013 was 391/740,757 (0.053%). BPEI's rate was 20/121,285 (0.016%) during the study period: eight after bevacizumab (0.012%), six after ranibizumab (0.018%), and six after aflibercept (0.031%) injection. Nine BPEI cases (45%) were culture-positive: Streptococcus species (5), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (3), and non-anthracis Bacillus (1). Final visual acuity varied from 20/25 to no light perception.

CONCLUSION

Endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF injection was uncommon in our institution and in the population-based database. Treatment outcomes were variable but generally fared better in the culture-negative cases.

Intravitreal Injection--Technique and Safety

Intravitreal (IVT) injection of therapeutic agents has become one of the most commonly performed procedures in ophthalmology. Over the past decade, a number of guidelines have been published that recommend proper techniques to increase the safety of IVT injections. Among the various complications of IVT injections, endophthalmitis can be sight threatening. The reported endophthalmitis rates after IVT injection range from 0.020% to 0.085%, which are higher than what would be expected from a simple, fast, and relatively atraumatic procedure. The 2 key issues involved in the prevention of endophthalmitis are pre-IVT injection disinfection using povidone-iodine (PVI) and the use of topical antibiotics as prophylaxis. Whereas 5% PVI for 5 minutes is most commonly used in cataract surgery for disinfection, the duration in IVT injection is much less and can be as short as 30 seconds. Further studies seem warranted to investigate whether longer duration of PVI application in IVT injection can lower the endophthalmitis rate. Recent data suggest that there is inadequate evidence to support the routine use of prophylactic pre-, peri-, or postinjection antibiotics to reduce the risk of endophthalmitis. However, as many confounding factors such as the PVI regimens were not standardized in previous studies, it is too soon to make a concrete conclusion. Despite the availability of published guidelines, considerable variations still exist in real-life clinical situations. In this article, we describe our IVT injection practice protocol and compare it with the most recent international guidelines. Finally, a summary table that shows the clinical features of true, sterile, and pseudoendophthalmitis is presented.

Endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection: a comprehensive review

The purpose of this review is to report and summarize previously reported studies and assess many of the individual steps of the intravitreal injection procedure's possible effect on the prevention of endophthalmitis. The pooled endophthalmitis rate from 20 large retrospective case series of anti-VEGF injections was 144/510,396 (0.028%; 1/3,544). Injections may be performed in an office-based location or in an operating room (OR) and low rates of endophthalmitis can be achieved in either location with careful attention to asepsis. Pre- or post-injection topical antibiotics have not been shown to be effective, and could select for more virulent microorganisms. Povidone-iodine prior to injection is accepted as the gold-standard antiseptic agent, but aqueous chlorhexidine may be an alternative. Antisepsis before and after gel or subconjunctival anesthetic is suggested. The preponderance of Streptococcal infections after intravitreal injection is discussed, including the possible role of aerosolization, which can be minimized by using face masks or maintaining silence. As with other invasive procedures in medicine, the use of sterile gloves, following adequate hand antisepsis, may be considered. Control of the eyelashes and lid margin is required to avoid contamination of the needle, but this can be achieved with or without a speculum. Techniques to minimize vitreous reflux have not been shown to reduce the risk of endophthalmitis. Same day bilateral injections should be performed as two separate procedures, preferably using drug from different lots, especially when using compounded drugs.

Safety study of 38,503 intravitreal ranibizumab injections performed mainly by physicians in training and nurses in a hospital setting

PURPOSE

To evaluate and to compare the safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections performed by physicians and nurses at a single large hospital clinic in Denmark during 5 years.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional, non-comparative study.

METHODS

SETTING

All eyes that underwent a protocolized ranibizumab injection procedure performed in an operating room mainly by nurses and physicians in their first year of ophthalmology training.

STUDY POPULATION

A total of 4623 eyes in 3679 patients with subretinal neovascularization secondary to a variety of retinal diseases, mainly neovascular AMD treated with intravitreal therapy (IVT) at the Glostrup Hospital from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011 with a mean follow-up of 12.2 months (95% confidence interval: 11.9-12.6).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequency of endophthalmitis, traumatic cataract, intraocular haemorrhage and retinal detachment from 2007 to 2012.

RESULTS

Overall, 38,503 intravitreal ranibizumab injections were performed in 4623 eyes. Injections were performed by nurses (32.5%), ophthalmology residents (61.3%) and vitreoretinal surgeons (6.2%). Severe complications to treatment were observed in 17 eyes: Endophthalmitis (14 eyes, 0.36 ‰ of injections whereof seven cases were culture-positive), anterior uveitis (one eye, 0.026 ‰), traumatic cataract (one eye, 0.026 ‰) and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (one eye, 0.026 ‰). Retinal pigment epithelial tears were registered in 14 eyes in 14 subjects within the first year of treatment with ranibizumab. Of the 14 cases of endophthalmitis, seven occurred within a period of 5 weeks in 2010 when occasionally abnormal needle outflow resistance prompted the needle replacement in the operating room. No drug-related adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection performed by nurses and physicians without preinjection topical antibiotics was associated with a rate of injection-related adverse events of 0.44 ‰.

Burkholderia cepacia endophthalmitis, in a penicillin allergic patient, following a ranibizumab injection

Burkholderia cepacia, a Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in water and soil, is a rare cause of endophthalmitis. The authors report a case of a penicillin-allergic patient who presented 15 days after an uneventful injection of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration with culture-positive B cepacia endophthalmitis. Initial antibiotic therapy using non-penicillin-based medications was not successful in eradicating the bacteria. Subsequent treatment with a third-generation cephalosporin resulted in complete resolution of the infection. B cepacia should be included among the bacterial species that may cause endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections.

Histopathology of streptococcus mitis/oralis endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with bevacizumab: a report of 7 patients

PURPOSE

To report the histopathologic findings of a series of patients from an outbreak of Streptococcal endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab prepared by a single compounding pharmacy.

DESIGN

Case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Seven surgical specimens (5 enucleated globes and 2 evisceration specimens) from 7 patients with endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

METHODS

Retrospective case series, including clinical data and histopathologic specimens examined by light microscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Review of clinical data included baseline visual acuity, clinical intervention, and time elapsed from injection to loss of globe. Histopathologic specimens were reviewed for pathologic changes at all tissue levels.

RESULTS

Seven of 12 total patients (4 women, 3 men; mean age, 77.7 years) from an outbreak of Streptococcus mitis/oralis endophthalmitis after bevacizumab injection ultimately sustained loss of the affected globe, with an average of 139.1 days elapsed between injection and globe loss. Mean time from injection to presentation was 2.86 days (range, 1-6), and all patients were initially treated with vitreous tap and injection. Although histologic review of surgical specimens disclosed a wide range of pathologic tissue changes, recurring patterns of tissue damage were evident. All 5 enucleated globes displayed retinal detachment, fibrous proliferation with cyclitic membrane formation, rubeosis iridis, and secondary angle closure. All 7 specimens displayed persistent choroidal inflammation, in 1 case 208 days after injection. Six of 7 specimens had foci of retinal necrosis. Although vitreous cultures were positive in all cases, no organisms were identified by light microscopy in any of the 7 specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

S. mitis/oralis endophthalmitis is a devastating complication of intravitreal injection with bevacizumab with a high rate of globe loss (7 of 12 patients, 58.3%) and a wide variety of severe pathologic tissue changes. Although no organisms were identified in the examined tissues, persistent inflammation was present in all cases, and fibrous proliferation resulted in cyclitic membrane formation and retinal detachment in all enucleated globes. These findings suggest that potential globe-salvaging interventions must address a pattern of changes involving persistent, chronic inflammation and fibrovascular proliferation as key components.

Infectious endophthalmitis: review of 420 cases

Background

To characterize the causative pathogens and the visual outcomes among patients with endophthalmitis at a large referral center in northeastern Thailand.

Methods

All cases of infectious endophthalmitis treated between 1983 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The patient data – including age, sex, history of ocular injuries, previous treatment and duration of the symptoms – were recorded. The ocular examination included affected side, anterior chamber reaction, vitreous haze, and presence of intraocular foreign bodies. Smears and cultures were prepared from anterior chamber paracentesis and/or vitreous tapping. Intraocular antibiotics were administered at the time of anterior chamber paracentesis and/or vitreous tapping. Vitrectomy and/or lensectomy were performed when indicated. Initial visual acuity before treatment and the final best-corrected vision were compared.

Results

A total of 420 cases of endophthalmitis were reviewed: 181 cases (43.1%) had ocular trauma before the infection; 135 (32.2%) developed endophthalmitis after intraocular surgery; and, 122 (29.1%) had a positive culture. Bacteria were isolated in 114 cases (93.4%) and fungi were noted in eight (6.6%). The common causative bacterium was Staphylococcus epidermidis. Combined vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotics were performed in 189 cases (45.0%), whereas 69 cases (16.4%) were treated with intraocular antibiotics alone.

Conclusion

Most of the reviewed cases were associated with trauma and intraocular surgery. The most frequently encountered bacterium causing infectious endophthalmitis was S. epidermidis. Most cases were treated with combined vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotics. The final visual outcomes seem to vary according to the type of endophthalmitis.

Endophthalmitis: A review of recent trends

Endophthalmitis is a feared complication of trauma, surgical procedures and septicemia. Although uncommon, its potential for significant visual loss is well recognized. Especially over the past decade, complicated surgeries and medical techniques have increased and seriously ill patients are being sustained in ever increasing numbers. New pathogens are being recognized and known ones reclassified thanks to advances in molecular analysis. Continuously evolving PCR methodologies also add a new dimension to the diagnosis of infectious endophthalmitis. As well, medical literature is now truly international, encompassing studies from around the world that expand our understanding of ocular infectious disease. This report reviews some of these changes as they relate to endophthalmitis and particularly to the spectrum of organisms involved.