Failure of systemic antibiotic in preventing sequential endogenous endophthalmitis of a bronchiectasis patient

PURPOSE: To report a rare presentation of bilateral, sequential Pseudomonas aeruginosa endogenous endophthalmitis in a woman with bronchiectasis. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 69 year-old woman with bronchiectasis developed right and then left endogenous endophthalmitis with the microbial of P. aeruginosa, even though a course of 3-week intravenous ceftazidime antibiotic was prescribed. RESULTS: The presentation of endogenous endophthalmitis in the right eye was late, and final visual acuity was hand movements. The condition was recognized much earlier in the left eye, and the infection was treated early on with vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics. Visual acuity at I year was stable at 20/40. CONCLUSION: Systemic antibiotic failed to eradicate the primary source of Pseudomonas infection in the bronchiectasis patient. Unusual, painful red eye may be the presenting feature of endogenous endophthalmitis. Early vitrectomy may be considered in endogenous endophthalmitis caused by virulent pathogens such P. aerugi nosa. (c) 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.