Endogenous Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis with dark hypopyon: case report and review

A case of endogenous Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis in a patient with diabetes, end-stage renal disease, and an indwelling venous catheter is reported. The patient presented with a tan hypopyon and elevated intraocular pressure. Diagnosis was established by positive blood, vitreous, conjunctival, and catheter tip cultures. After a deteriorating course the eye was enucleated. Gross and histopathologic examination revealed the presence of a dark hypopyon with iris necrosis and pigment dispersion and possible spontaneous globe perforation. This is the eleventh reported case of endogenous Serratia endophthalmitis. Previous association of a pink hypopyon and of pigmented vitreous fluid and Serratia endophthalmitis has been reported. This is the first case of dark hypopyon in endogenous Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis reported in the medical literature. Previous entities associated with dark hypopyon have been limited to intraocular melanoma and Listeria monocytogenes endophthalmitis. Dark hypopyon in the appropriate clinical setting may be useful in aiding diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.