Brevibacterium casei endophthalmitis after intravitreal dexamethasone implant

A 49-year-old man with diabetic macular edema refractory to antiangiogenics was treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex; Allergan, California, USA). Seven days after treatment, he showed acute endophthalmitis suggestive signs. Despite the intravitreal injection of antibiotics, the patient got worse. Vitreous sampling was repeated for Gram and cultures, and vitrectomy was performed via pars plana. The culture suggested the development of Brevibacterium species. Through an additional test, the presence of Brevibacterium casei was confirmed. Despite the treatment adjusted by antibiogram, retinal ischemia and macular atrophy was evident.

Brevibacterium casei is a Gram-positive bacterium, barely pathogenic, that mainly affects immunodepressed patients. Only two cases of endophthalmitis are described, one endogenous and the other one secondary to vegetal trauma. This is the first case of Brevibacterium casei endophthalmitis, secondary to an ophthalmological procedure.