A rare case of endophthalmitis after bleb needle revision for glaucoma Xen® gel stent

Purpose: To describe the first case of endophthalmitis caused by Sphingobacterium spiritivorum, a glucose non-fermenting Gram-negative rod, in a patient previously implanted with a Xen (R) gel stent. Case report description: An 83-year-old patient, affected by open-angle glaucoma and with a previous surgery of combined cataract extraction and Xen gel stent implantation, developed endophthalmitis 1 month after bleb needle revision with 5-fluorouracil injection. At presentation, best corrected visual acuity was hand movement, hypopyon was evident into the anterior chamber and a flat bleb with no sign of leakage was present over the Xen gel implant. Outcome: Immediate pars plana vitrectomy was performed, with intravitreal antibiotic administration and silicon oil tamponade. S. spiritivorum was isolated from vitreous bacterial culture. According to the antibiogram, patient was treated with topical fortified ceftazidime eyedrops and appropriate systemic antibiotics (intravenous meropenem, 500 mg every 8 h for 7 days, followed by oral cotrimoxazole, 160 + 800 mg, twice a day for 10 days). After 2 weeks of treatment, ocular inflammation was resolved, best corrected visual acuity was 0.1 (Snellen chart) and intraocular pressure was 18 mm Hg without topical hypotensive therapy. Conclusion: S. spiritivorum was isolated for the first time as a causative agent of endophthalmitis in humans. Bleb needle revision in patients with Xen gel implant is not free of complications, and an attentive follow-up is required.

Automated summary

This case report describes the first documented case of endophthalmitis caused by Sphingobacterium spiritivorum in a patient with a history of Xen gel stent implantation. The patient, who underwent bleb needle revision with 5-fluorouracil injection, developed endophthalmitis 1 month later. Immediate intervention with pars plana vitrectomy, intravitreal antibiotics, and systemic antibiotics led to a favorable outcome with resolution of ocular inflammation and improved visual acuity.