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Postoperative endophthalmitis caused by sequestered Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
L Gopal1, A A Ramaswamy, H N Madhavan
1Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, India. MDSAAA35@GIASMD01.vsnl.net.in
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|March 8, 2000
Summary
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus can cause recurrent postoperative endophthalmitis, mimicking Propionibacterium acnes infections. This case highlights the importance of considering A. calcoaceticus in persistent post-cataract surgery inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Postoperative endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection following ocular surgery.
- Propionibacterium acnes is a known cause of chronic, indolent endophthalmitis.
- Acinetobacter calcoaceticus is a gram-negative bacterium rarely implicated in endophthalmitis.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old woman presented with recurrent inflammation after cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
- The capsular bag showed significant white deposits during a recurrent inflammatory episode.
- The IOL and capsular bag were surgically removed via pars plana vitrectomy.
Findings:
- Culture of the removed capsular bag identified Acinetobacter calcoaceticus as the causative agent.
- No recurrence of infection was observed during a 3-month follow-up period.
- This represents a novel case of endophthalmitis due to sequestered A. calcoaceticus.
Implications:
- Acinetobacter calcoaceticus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recalcitrant postoperative endophthalmitis.
- The findings suggest that sequestered bacteria within the capsular bag can lead to chronic inflammation.
- This case expands the spectrum of pathogens responsible for endophthalmitis after cataract extraction.