Outbreak of multidrug-resistant acute postoperative endophthalmitis due to Enterobacter aerogenes

To report the clinical features, management, and outcome of 7 cases of culture-proven multidrug-resistant Enterobacter postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Medical records of 7 cases of acute postoperative endophthalmitis after uneventful cataract surgery were reviewed. Details regarding age, gender, visual acuity and clinical features at presentation, microbiological profile, treatment interventions, and visual acuity and clinical features at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months follow-up were collected.

All patients reported decreased visual acuity and pain as presenting symptoms. All patients were resistant to intravitreal antibiotics such as vancomycin (1 mg/0.1 mL) and ceftazidime (2.25 mg/0.1 mL). Culture of aqueous and vitreous sample was positive for Enterobacter aerogenes and sensitive to co-trimoxazole, cefoperazone-sulbactam, imipenem-meropenem, and piperacillin-tazobactem. Two patients with panophthalmitis and no perception of light underwent evisceration. Three patients had visual acuity of ≥6/24 at the final follow-up.

Multidrug-resistant Enterobacter acute postoperative endophthalmitis has a poor prognosis if not intercepted early.