Pantoea agglomerans endophthalmitis: clinical features and outcomes

To determine the clinical profile and outcomes of patients with Pantoea agglomerans endophthalmitis as seen at a tertiary eye care center in India.

Retrospective observational case series. Data collected included demographics, history, the initial and final corrected distance visual acuity, details of the ocular and systemic examination, surgeries performed, and the final anatomical outcome. The final corrected distance visual acuity and the anatomical outcome were the outcome measures.

Four patients had traumatic endophthalmitis; the fifth developed endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. All patients were men with a mean age of 34.24 ± 23.34 years. Three patients had corneal laceration and traumatic cataract. All patients underwent vitreous sampling with intraocular antibiotic injection with or without lensectomy and corneal wound repair. The visual acuity at presentation ranged from hand motion to perception of light. One patient ended up with phthisis in the affected eye. One patient developed postoperative retinal detachment and underwent successful surgery. The final visual acuity ranged from 20/25 to no light perception.

P. agglomerans is a likely source of infection in traumatic and postoperative cases. Though variable, it appears sensitive to common antibiotics. The visual and anatomical prognosis seems fair in most cases. Special care needs to be taken to ensure the organism is not missed, given the rarity of the condition and the isolation techniques required.