Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Published on: February 6, 2021
Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis caused by vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in a neonate
Nidhi Relhan1, Thomas Albini2, Avinash Pathengay3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136 USA ; Kode Venkatadri Chowdry Campus, Tadigadapa, Vijayawada, 521137 Andhra Pradesh India.
Background:
Neonatal bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis is rare and often results in devastating visual outcome.
Findings:
An 18-day-old neonate presented with whitening of the cornea in the left eye. The child was examined under anesthesia, and a diagnosis of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis was made. Vitreous biopsy from the left eye showed no growth. Blood samples showed growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis which was multidrug resistant (including vancomycin) but sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam. The patient was managed with bilateral intravitreal injections of piperacillin-tazobactam and systemic cefpodoxime. Systemic and topical antibiotics were given for 3 and 8 weeks, respectively, and infection was controlled. At 2-year follow-up, the right eye is fixing and following to light with clear view of the fundus and the left eye has a clear cornea with red glow of the fundus.
Conclusions:
Vancomycin-resistant S. epidermidis may be a cause of endogenous endophthalmitis. Intravitreal piperacillin-tazobactam and systemic cefpodoxime were used to eliminate the infection in this neonate.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Microbiome of the Eye
Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

