Emerging Disease of the Desert: Rise of West Nile Virus Chorioretinitis in Arizona

Purpose: To present 7 cases of West Nile virus (WNV)-related chorioretinitis in Arizona. Methods: Retina clinic charts with the terms "chorioretinitis" and "West Nile" were selected from April 1, 2012, to February 1, 2023. Results: Seven patients with initial visits between August 2019 and February 2023 were included. The majority of WNV chorioretinitis cases were seen in the last 4 years of the selected dates. Only 1 patient presented before this time but was excluded for inadequate baseline testing. All 7 patients had hospitalization for neuroinvasive disease before clinical presentation. All patients achieved a final visual acuity of 20/25 to 20/70. Conclusions: In the last 4 years of the study period, an uptrend in WNV chorioretinitis was found in our retina clinics in Arizona, reflecting the overall rise in WNV outbreaks across the state. As WNV continues to rise, the eye specialist should have high suspicion for WNV ocular disease, even in states where WNV had been an uncommon entity.

Klebsiella Endogenous Endophthalmitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae endogenous endophthalmitis (KEE) encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective consecutive case series evaluated eyes that presented with KEE between March 2020 and July 2022. Results: Seven eyes of 5 patients developed KEE. Between January 2020 and July 2022, KEE was observed in 42% of consecutive EE cases compared with 7.8% during the preceding 13 years. COVID-19 was positive in 4 of 5 patients before they developed KEE. Only 1 patient presented with a VA better than hand motions (20/400). All eyes were treated with urgent vitrectomy and intravitreal and systemic antibiotics. No improvement in vision occurred in any patient; VA remained light perception to no light perception in 60% of eyes. Conclusions: The visual prognosis in KEE is extremely poor. The presence of a preceding COVID-19 infection in 80% of patients may signal a new risk factor for KEE. Patients with a hypervirulent Klebsiella syndrome should be routinely screened for EE.

Reduced Incidence of Intravitreal Injection-Related Endophthalmitis With Prefilled Syringes

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of intravitreal injection-related endophthalmitis cases with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications manufactured as prefilled syringes or non-prefilled preparations. Methods: This retrospective chart review comprised eyes that received intravitreal anti-VEGF at a single-specialty retina practice from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019. Eyes diagnosed with injection-related endophthalmitis were identified. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records, including the type of anti-VEGF agent, baseline and follow-up corrected visual acuity (VA), and microbiologic findings. Results: The review identified 88 cases of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection-related endophthalmitis and 325 990 total injections. Total injections included 32 045 (9.8%) bevacizumab (BEV), 93 073 (28.6%) ranibizumab (RAN), 122 947 (37.7%) aflibercept (AFL), and 77 925 (23.9%) ranibizumab prefilled syringe (RANPFS). Ten of the endophthalmitis cases were related to BEV, 21 to RAN, 45 to AFL, and 12 to RANPFS. The endophthalmitis rate was lowest for RANPFS (0.0154%) (BEV, 0.0312%; RAN, 0.0226%; AFL, 0.0366%) (P = .030). Thirty-four (41.5%) of 82 samples were culture positive. RANPFS had a significantly lower rate of culture-proven postinjection endophthalmitis than the other agents (P = .003). The mean VA for endophthalmitis cases related to RANPFS vs non-prefilled agents was similar at presentation (Snellen 20/2092 vs 20/2327) and at the 3-month follow-up (Snellen 20/201 vs 20/272) (both P > .05). Conclusions: Anti-VEGF medications in prefilled syringes may reduce the risk for medication contamination during injection preparation. RANPFS was associated with a lower rate of injection-related endophthalmitis than non-prefilled anti-VEGF medications.

Multimodal Imaging of Choroidal Lesions in an Elderly Man With Uveal Lymphoid Hyperplasia

Purpose: To describe the case of an elderly man who was incidentally found to have multiple hypopigmented choroidal lesions in the left eye in the absence of intraocular inflammation. Methods: A case report was analyzed, including the laboratory workup and imaging results. Results: The workup for conditions, including birdshot chorioretinopathy, syphilis, and tuberculosis, were negative. Ancillary imaging confirmed a diagnosis of uveal lymphoid hyperplasia (ULH). The patient was stable under observation for more than 1 year. Conclusions: Careful examination and imaging findings can aid in differentiating between ULH and other diagnoses.