Antibiotic Susceptibility and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Ocular Infections

Margaret Ming-Chih Ho1, Ming-Hui Sun1,2, Wei-Chi Wu1,2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ocular infections are best treated with fluoroquinolones, showing high susceptibility and low MICs. Tigecycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are viable alternatives for these serious eye infections.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen causing severe ocular infections like keratitis and endophthalmitis.
  • Understanding antibiotic susceptibility is crucial for effective treatment of S. maltophilia eye infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine antibiotic susceptibility and MICs of S. maltophilia from ocular infections.
  • To compare antibiotic MICs between keratitis and endophthalmitis isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Disc diffusion and E-test methods were employed to assess antibiotic susceptibility.
  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined for various antibiotics against S. maltophilia isolates.

Main Results:

  • High susceptibility (91-93%) was observed for fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin) and tigecycline (100%).
  • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) showed 61-72% susceptibility.
  • MIC90 values were lowest for fluoroquinolones (0.75-2 µg/mL) and tigecycline (3 µg/mL).
  • Significantly lower geometric mean MICs for ceftazidime, TMP-SMX, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin were found in keratitis isolates compared to endophthalmitis isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Fluoroquinolones are recommended for treating S. maltophilia ocular infections due to superior susceptibility and lower MICs.
  • Tigecycline and TMP-SMX can serve as alternative antibiotic options for S. maltophilia ocular infections.