ACTINOMYCES NEUII ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTION

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections are common treatments for retinal diseases.
• Endophthalmitis is a rare but serious complication following intraocular injections.
• Actinomyces species are gram-positive bacteria that can cause opportunistic infections.

Observation:

• A 67-year-old male with wet age-related macular degeneration developed acute endophthalmitis 10 days post-intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.
• Clinical presentation included anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation.
• Cultures of anterior chamber and vitreous samples were positive for Actinomyces neuii.

Findings:

• Actinomyces neuii was identified as the causative pathogen in post-injection endophthalmitis.
• The patient received successful treatment with intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidime.
• This represents the first reported case of culture-proven Actinomyces neuii endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens like Actinomyces neuii in post-injection endophthalmitis.
• Emphasizes the need for prompt microbiological investigation and targeted antibiotic therapy.
• Informs ophthalmologists about a potential, albeit rare, infectious complication of anti-VEGF therapy.