Related Experiment Videos
Bilateral endophthalmitis in acute bacterial endocarditis.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|November 1, 1979
Summary
A diabetic woman developed severe infections, including ketoacidosis and endophthalmitis. Despite a diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis, no organisms were found, but autopsy revealed widespread abscesses.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus can predispose individuals to severe infections.
- Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare but serious ocular infection.
- Bacterial endocarditis requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old diabetic woman presented with diabetic ketoacidosis and urinary tract infection.
- She developed bilateral endophthalmitis, progressing to ruptured chorda tendineae of the mitral valve.
- Acute bacterial endocarditis was diagnosed, but cultures were negative.
Findings:
- Autopsy revealed bilateral nongranulomatous panophthalmitis.
- Multiple abscesses were found, including perinephric, myocardial, intracranial, and mitral valve locations.
- Despite clinical suspicion, no causative organisms were identified.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for aggressive, culture-negative infections in diabetic patients.
- The spread of infection from presumed urinary tract or endogenous source to multiple organs, including the heart and eyes, is demonstrated.
- It underscores the importance of considering widespread abscess formation in complex, culture-negative sepsis cases.