Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
07:24
Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Published on: February 6, 2021
13.1K
EXOGENOUS MENINGOCOCCAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS: A CASE REVIEW
Rachel L Z Goh1, Sukhpal S Sandhu, Penelope J Allen
1Vitreo-Retinal Unit, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|August 30, 2017
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of exogenous endophthalmitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis in a patient with a leaking filtering bleb. Conjunctival swabs proved diagnostic, aiding in identifying this uncommon cause of vision-threatening infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Exogenous endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection, often associated with ocular surgery or trauma.
- Neisseria meningitidis is a rare but aggressive pathogen causing endophthalmitis, with limited documented cases.
Observation:
- A case of exogenous endophthalmitis in an 82-year-old male patient with a history of a leaking filtering bleb is presented.
- The patient, treated at a tertiary ophthalmic service, developed symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis.
Findings:
- The diagnosis of exogenous endophthalmitis was confirmed, with Neisseria meningitidis identified as the causative agent.
- A conjunctival swab was found to be diagnostic in this case, a method not previously reported as successful for meningococcal endophthalmitis.
- The patient was systemically well, highlighting the importance of considering meningococcal endophthalmitis even in non-septic individuals with compromised ocular barriers.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Neisseria meningitidis in the differential diagnosis of endophthalmitis, particularly in patients with leaky filtering blebs.
- Diagnostic utility of conjunctival swabs for Neisseria meningitidis endophthalmitis may be significant.
- Occupational health guidelines suggest prophylaxis is not required for healthcare workers in contact with affected patients.
