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Published on: February 6, 2021
Acute postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis
C Chiquet1, A Pechinot, C Creuzot-Garcher
1Department of Ophthalmology, CHU de Grenoble, Faculté de Médecine, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France. cchiquet@chu-grenoble.fr
Abstract:
Acute postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis is infrequently reported in clinical studies. Five cases of acute postcataract surgery endophthalmitis caused by S. lugdunensis were taken from a multicenter prospective study conducted in four university-affiliated hospitals in France (2004 to 2005). These cases were characterized by severe ocular inflammation occurring with a mean delay of 7.6 days after cataract surgery, severe visual loss (hand motions or less in three cases), and dense infiltration of the vitreous. Each of these patients was initially treated by using a standard protocol with intravitreal (vancomycin and ceftazidime), systemic, and topical antibiotics. Given the severity of the endophthalmitis, even though bacteria were sensitive to intravitreal antibiotics, pars plana vitrectomy was needed in four cases. The final visual prognosis was complicated by severe retinal detachment in three cases. The microbiological diagnosis was reached by using conventional cultures with specific biochemical tests and eubacterial PCR amplification followed by direct sequencing.
Insights
Staphylococcus lugdunensis rarely causes acute postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. This severe infection requires prompt, aggressive treatment, often including pars plana vitrectomy, to preserve vision.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Acute postoperative endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection following ocular surgery.
- Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an uncommon cause of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis.
Observation:
- A multicenter study identified five cases of S. lugdunensis endophthalmitis post-cataract surgery.
- Patients presented with severe ocular inflammation, visual loss, and vitreous infiltration 7.6 days post-surgery.
- Standard antibiotic protocols were initiated, but four patients required pars plana vitrectomy due to infection severity.
Findings:
- Despite antibiotic sensitivity, three cases developed severe retinal detachment, complicating visual prognosis.
- Microbiological diagnosis involved conventional cultures, biochemical tests, and PCR with sequencing.
- S. lugdunensis presents a significant challenge in managing post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for vigilance regarding S. lugdunensis as a potential pathogen in endophthalmitis.
- Suggests that aggressive surgical management may be necessary even with sensitive bacteria.
- Emphasizes the importance of advanced microbiological techniques for accurate diagnosis.
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