Endophthalmitis Caused by Corynebacterium Species: Clinical Features, Antibiotic Susceptibility, and Treatment...

To report the clinical features, antibiotic susceptibility profiles, treatment, and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of endophthalmitis caused by Corynebacterium species.

Retrospective case series.

Patients with endophthalmitis caused by Corynebacterium species.

Microbiology database records were retrospectively reviewed for all patients with endophthalmitis caused by Corynebacterium species from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2012 at a large university referral center. The corresponding clinical records were then reviewed to evaluate the endophthalmitis clinical features and treatment outcomes.

presenting clinical features, visual acuity outcomes, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Of 10 patients identified, clinical settings included post-cataract surgery (n = 6), post-penetrating keratoplasty (n = 2), and post-trabeculectomy (n = 2). The mean time from surgical procedure to presentation with endophthalmitis was 6.8 months (range: 1 day to 28 months). All isolates were vancomycin susceptible. Presenting VA ranged from 7/200 to no light perception. Initial treatment strategies were vitreous tap and intravitreal antibiotic injection (n = 5) and pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotic injection (n = 5). VA outcomes were ≥ 20/60 in 5 (50%) of 10 patients and ≤ 20/400 in 5 (50%) of 10 patients.

The most common clinical setting was post-cataract surgery. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. Despite prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics, there were variable visual outcomes.