Endogenous endophthalmitis after otitis media
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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Published on: February 6, 2021
Jan Eize Siegersma1, Rob R Klont, Mauk A D Tilanus
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands. J.Siegersma@ohk.umcn.nl
Purpose:
To report a case of bacterial endophthalmitis after otitis media in a healthy adult.
Design:
Interventional case report.
Methods:
A healthy 49-year-old Caucasian woman developed acute otitis media of the right ear. Three weeks after the first onset there was a recurrence of the otitis media, with perforation of the tympanic membrane. Two days after this, the woman presented at our clinic with endophthalmitis of the right eye.
Results:
A culture of vitreous material grew Streptococcus pyogenes (Streptococcus Lancefield group A). The same strain was found in a smear from the perforated ear. Despite aggressive treatment, the affected eye had to be eviscerated.
Conclusions:
Otitis media can result in a bacteremia. This may, even in a healthy adult, lead to a devastating endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis.
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