Monica I. Binder

A retrospective chart review of all patients seen at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation with infectious endogenous endophthalmitis between January 1982 and August 2000 revealed 34 affected eyes in 27 patients. During this time, the median incidence of endogenous endophthalmitis was 1.8 cases/year, and 48.1% of patients presented as outpatients. Twenty-six patients presented to an ophthalmologist, and the diagnosis was initially missed in almost half the cases. Eleven patients had an unremarkable physical exam except for eye findings. We found an equal incidence of bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis and a predominance of among the fungal etiologic agents. We did not, however, note a predominance of Gramnegative organisms seen mostly in reports from Asia. The microbiologic diagnosis was based on aqueous and vitreous cultures or positive eye histopathology stains in almost two-thirds of cases. The sensitivity of the Gram stain was poor, but its specificity and positive predictive value were excellent. The vitreous cultures obtained by vitrectomy instruments were more sensitive in making the diagnosis than the vitreous needle biopsy. Aside from blood cultures and eye specimen cultures, half the patients had an additional infectious focus, most frequently a urinary tract infection, whereas infectious endocarditis was seen in a small minority. Twelve patients had visual improvement with treatment with a final visual acuity better than 20/200 in 44% of the eyes. Good visual outcome was associated with visual acuity of 20/200 or better at diagnosis and with the absence of hypopyon.

Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is an unusual disease with serious sequelae. Of the 4 cases published in the literature only 1 recovered useful vision after treatment. This study reports on 1 additional patient and expands on the previously described brief ophthalmology case report of another patient with marked visual impairment at presentation and good visual recovery after treatment. Of the 5 patients described, 4 had pre-existing heart abnormalities, 3 had permanent pacemakers and 2 had periodontal disease. Definite endocarditis by Duke criteria was present in 3 patients. Endocarditis should be ruled out in every patient with A. actinomycetemcomitans endophthalmitis, even in the absence of systemic complaints and prior penicillin prophylaxis. Eye specimen cultures should be incubated for 10 d. A thorough dental examination should be done in each patient and any periodontal disease should be promptly treated.