Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe congenital keratouveitis, cataract and glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Only seven cases of ocular Spiroplasma infection have been reported to date, all presenting as congenital cataracts with concomitant intraocular inflammation. We describe the first case of Spiroplasma infection initially presenting as a corneal infiltrate. CASE PRESENTATION: A 1-month-old girl was referred for a corneal infiltrate in the left eye. She presented in our hospital with unilateral keratouveitis. Examination showed a stromal corneal infiltrate and dense white keratic precipitates in the left eye. Herpetic keratouveitis was suspected and intravenous acyclovir therapy was initiated. Two weeks later, the inflammation in the left eye persisted and was also noticed in the right eye. Acute angle-closure glaucoma and a cataract with dilated iris vessels extending onto the anterior lens capsule developed in the left eye. The inflammation resolved after treatment with azithromycin. Iridectomy, synechiolysis and lensectomy were performed. Bacterial metagenomic sequencing (16 S rRNA) and transmission electron microscopy revealed Spiroplasma ixodetis species in lens aspirates and biopsy. Consequently, a diagnosis of bilateral Spiroplasma uveitis was made. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of congenital cataract with concomitant intraocular inflammation, Spiroplasma infection should be considered. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of congenital Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe keratouveitis, cataract and angle-closure glaucoma in newborns. Performing molecular testing on lens aspirates is essential to confirm diagnosis. Systemic macrolides are suggested as the mainstay of treatment.

Bilateral Combined Rhegmatogenous and Tractional Retinal Detachments Due to Persistent High-Titer Syphilis.

A 23-year-old man developed bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachments secondary to high-titer ocular syphilis. The patient's titer increased four-fold after completing a 14-day course of intravenous penicillin (IVP). He underwent bilateral pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil fill in both eyes. In this article, the authors propose an updated treatment method for patients with advanced ocular syphilis that includes oral doxycycline for 30 days following 14 days of IVP to optimally minimize the patient's infectious burden. Following surgery and this new treatment regime, this patient's best-corrected visual acuity 10 weeks postoperatively measured 20/50 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. This case highlights a rare but devastating complication of ocular syphilis. We suggest the addition of oral doxycycline to IVP for patients with syphilis titers ≥ 1:256, HIV co-infection, and presence of posterior retinitis. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:46-50.].

AGGREGATIBACTER ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN A PATIENT WITH DENTOPHOBIA.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of unilateral, endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus (HACEK group) confirmed in vitreous and blood cultures, in a patient with dentophobia. METHODS: Case report. PATIENTS: A seventy-five-year-old male patient with Type 2 diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, and pacemaker implantation. RESULTS: Patient was observed with sudden loss of vision at the Department of Ophthalmology, Uppsala University. Initial diagnosis was posterior vitreous detachment and anterior uveitis, but progression of disease led to vitrectomy, which actually demonstrated endophthalmitis and growth of A. aphrophilus of the HACEK group. Aggregatibacter bacteremia and pacemaker endocarditis were also identified and dental examination confirmed growth of Aggregatibacter in the oral cavity. Intravitreal treatment with ceftazidime and vancomycin according to Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study protocol was administered with quick resolution of endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Aggregatibacter endophthalmitis is a rare, but devastating cause of vision loss where immediate diagnosis may be delayed. Prompt diagnosis may be facilitated by a thorough medical history and early vitreous biopsy. Systemic investigation by an infectious disease specialist and multidisciplinary assessment are mandatory. Ophthalmologic treatment is effective with intravitreal injections of ceftazidime and vancomycin.

A Cluster of Ocular Syphilis Cases with a Common Sex Partner - Southwest Michigan, 2022.

Untreated syphilis can lead to ocular syphilis, otosyphilis, and neurosyphilis, conditions resulting from Treponema pallidum infection of the eye, inner ear, or central nervous system. During March-July 2022, Michigan public health officials identified a cluster of ocular syphilis cases. The public health response included case investigation, partner notification, dissemination of health alerts, patient referral to a public health clinic for diagnosis and treatment, hospital care coordination, and specimen collection for T. pallidum molecular typing. Five cases occurred among southwest Michigan women, all of whom had the same male sex partner. The women were aged 40-60 years, HIV-negative, and identified as non-Hispanic White race; the disease was staged as early syphilis, and all patients were hospitalized and treated with intravenous penicillin. The common male sex partner was determined to have early latent syphilis and never developed ocular syphilis. No additional transmission was identified after the common male partner's treatment. Due to lack of genetic material in limited specimens, syphilis molecular typing was not possible. A common heterosexual partner in an ocular syphilis cluster has not been previously documented and suggests that an unidentified strain of T. pallidum might have been associated with increased risk for systemic manifestations of syphilis. A high index of clinical suspicion and thorough sexual history are critical to diagnosing ocular syphilis, otosyphilis, and neurosyphilis. Coordination of disease surveillance with disease intervention specialist investigation and treatment referral can interrupt syphilis transmission.

Microbial keratitis in Sao Paulo, Brazil: a 10-year review of laboratory results, epidemiological features, and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To study epidemiological data, laboratory results, and risk factors associated with microbial keratitis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of corneal sample cultures from patients with microbial keratitis from January 2010 to December 2019. Results were analyzed according to the etiological diagnosis of bacterial, mycotic, or parasitic infection and were associated with related risk factors. RESULTS: We analyzed 4810 corneal samples from 4047 patients (mean age 47.79 ± 20.68 years; male 53.27%). The prevalence of bacterial, fungal, and Acanthamoeba infections were 69.80%, 7.31%, and 3.51%, respectively. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (45.14%), S. aureus (10.02%), Pseudomonas spp. (8.80%), and Corynebacterium spp. (6.21%). Among CoNS, the main agent was S. epidermidis (n=665). For mycotic keratitis, Fusarium spp. (35.42%) and Candida parapsilosis (16.07%) were the most common agents among filamentous and yeasts isolates, respectively. Contact lens use was associated with a positive culture for Acanthamoeba spp. (OR = 19.04; p < 0.001) and Pseudomonas spp. (OR = 3.20; p < 0.001). Previous ocular trauma was associated with positive fungal cultures (OR = 1.80; p = 0.007), while older age was associated with positive bacterial culture (OR = 1.76; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated a higher positivity of corneal sample cultures for bacteria. Among those, CoNS was the most frequently identified, with S. epidermidis as the main agent. In fungal keratitis, Fusarium spp. was the most commonly isolated. Contact lens wearers had higher risks of positive cultures for Acanthamoeba spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Ocular trauma increased the risk of fungal infection, while older age increased the risk of bacterial infection.

Leptospiral uveitis- "Transition 'from epidemic to endemic form" difficulties in laboratory confirmations.

Purpose: Leptospirosis is a waterborne zoonotic disease that primarily causes systemic illness, followed by uveitis. After heavy flooding in Madurai district, an epidemic outbreak of systemic and ocular leptospirosis occurred in 1994. Our data shows a transition to endemicity after each epidemic. Aim: The aim of this study is to report the clinical signs, epidemic outbreaks, and persistent endemicity of leptospiral uveitis, as well as the diagnostic dilemmas associated with it. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical signs was conducted using medical records of leptospiral uveitis patients over a period of 27 years (1994-2020) in a tertiary care eye hospital. The clinical workup of uveitis included a detailed clinical history, systemic, and ophthalmic examination. Microagglutination tests (MATs) was done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and later in our regional laboratory. Serum samples were collected from human systemic leptospirosis cases and a small group of animals in and around Madurai. Results: The first epidemic outbreak resulted in 200 seropositive patients. Subsequent epidemic outbreaks occurred in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2012, with Madurai experiencing multiple outbreaks. However, the disease remained endemic, with 25-50 patients being observed per year in between the peaks. Ocular examination revealed acute non-granulomatous uveitis (94.9%), pan uveitis (59.8%), vitreous inflammatory reaction (55.4%), retinal vasculitis (29.5%), disc hyperemia (20.9%), and hypopyon. (16.2%). New serovars emerged every year, resulting in decreased sensitivity of the MAT. Over time, the MAT started to miss diagnoses. Conclusion: The persistent endemicity of leptospiral uveitis emphasizes the need for accessible diagnostic tests. The low performance of the MAT can be attributable to the use of an older panel. The incorporation of new isolates in the MAT by a national laboratory will improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Clinical Characteristics and Visual Outcomes of Acute Syphilitic Posterior Placoid Chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate presenting features and visual outcomes in eyes with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinopathy (ASPPC). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: A total of 24 eyes of 17 adult patients with ASPPC. METHODS: Chart review of patients with ASPPC who presented to the University of Michigan W. K. Kellogg Eye Center between January 1, 2012, and November 4, 2022. Demographic and clinical information, fundus photographs, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral-domain-OCT (SD-OCT) findings were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical characteristics and visual acuity (VA) on presentation and follow-up examination. RESULTS: The median age was 46 (interquartile range [IQR], 38-51) years. At presentation, 20 (83.3%) eyes had subjectively decreased vision, with a median initial VA of 0.54 (IQR, 0.35-1.00) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR); at 45 days, median logMAR VA was 0.096 (IQR, 0.02-0.17). Initial VA was positively associated with posterior pole-sparing lesions (coefficient estimate [CE], -0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.38 to -0.12); P = 0.03), and negatively associated with ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption (CE, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.03-1.42; P = 0.04), subfoveal EZ disruption (CE, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.02-1.23; P = 0.046), and initial hyperreflective foci on SD-OCT (CE, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.09-1.23; P = 0.03). Female eyes were more likely (hazard ratio [HR], 3.36; 95% CI, 1.07-10.6; P = 0.04), and eyes with optic nerve abnormality were less likely (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.96; P = 0.04), to achieve a VA ≥ 20/40 (logMAR, 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: This study of patients with ASPPC showed that symptomatic eyes had an improvement from a median VA of 20/69 on presentation to a median VA of 20/25 at 45 days. Female sex and absence of optic nerve involvement were associated with higher probability of achieving ≥ 20/40. These findings provide refined guidance for counseling patients who present with decreased vision due to ASPPC. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Syphilis-related Ocular Inflammation in HIV-positive and HIV-negative Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and visual outcomes of ocular syphilis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and negative patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with newly diagnosed ocular syphilis between January 2015 and August 2021. RESULTS: 68 eyes of 41 patients (22 eyes in 12 HIV-positive patients, 46 eyes in 29 HIV-negative patients) were included. The most common ophthalmic feature was posterior uveitis in HIV-positive and anterior uveitis in HIV-negative patients; 58.3% (7 out of 12 patients) of HIV-positive and 48.2% (14 out of 29 patients) of HIV-negative patients were diagnosed with neurosyphilis. There were no significant differences in laterality, presence of concurrent rash, rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers, presenting, and final corrected visual acuity between both groups. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-fifth of eyes may suffer from severe visual loss of ≤ 20/200. HIV co-infection may not result in visual outcomes in syphilis.

Clinico-microbiological Features and Treatment Outcomes of Serratia Keratitis and Comparison with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis.

PURPOSE: To describe clinico-microbiological features and outcomes of Serratia keratitis and to compare them with Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. METHODS: Cases of microbiologically proven Serratia keratitis and P. aeruginosa keratitis were reviewed. Data regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: 39 patients with pure Serratia keratitis were included. Median presenting vision was 1.8 logMAR (IQR, 0.8-2.4) and median infiltrate size was 5 mm (IQR 3-7.8 mm). An ocular risk factor was present in 35 (89.7%) cases. S. marcescens was the most common species (31/39, 79.5%). Medical resolution was observed in 36/39 (92.3%) cases, while three (7.7%) eyes needed penetrating keratoplasty. On comparing with P. aeruginosa keratitis (58 eyes), no difference in outcomes (p = .14) was noted. CONCLUSION: Serratia keratitis usually occurs in eyes with a compromised surface and has good resolution with medical therapy. Both Serratia and P. aeruginosa keratitis have similar outcomes.

ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL REFERRAL CENTRE IN COLOMBIA: AETIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL RESISTANCE.

AIMS: To describe the aetiology and microbial susceptibility profile of endophthalmitis cases treated at an ophthalmological referral centre in Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with all endophthalmitis cases referred to the Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander FOSCAL (Floridablanca, Colombia) from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2015. RESULTS: 121 eyes of 121 patients were evaluated. 77.7% of them were male and the mean age was 42.9 years. Five of them (4.1%) corresponded to endogenous endophthalmitis, and 116 (95.9%) to exogenous endophthalmitis. Of the latter, 66.9% were associated with trauma (almost one-half of them associated with intraocular foreign body), and 29.5% with intraocular surgery. The most common isolated microorganisms in the exogenous endophthalmitis group corresponded to methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, which were mostly susceptible to imipenem, vancomycin and moxifloxacin and resistant to ceftazidime. CONCLUSION: Endophthalmitis is a potentially sight-threatening condition, especially in cases of inadequate treatment. Therefore, antimicrobial therapy should be guided by vitreous humour culture to assure that the causative microorganism is susceptible to the selected agent. The results of our study lead us to propose vancomycin, moxifloxacin or imipenem as first-line antimicrobial options.

The Mydriatic Red Eye as the Initial Presentation of Syphilis.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that has been increasing in prevalence since the early 2000s. Ocular involvement occurs in a minority of patients and must be in the differential diagnosis for patients who present with red eye and uveitis. CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a painful, mydriatic red eye. Review of systems revealed a rash as well as a recent genital lesion and, on further questioning, she admitted to a history of intravenous drug use and high-risk sexual activity. Ophthalmology was consulted and the patient was diagnosed with bilateral uveitis. Serologic testing was positive for syphilis, and she was admitted and treated with intravenous penicillin, with resolution of her uveitis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Red eye is a common ocular symptom in patients presenting to the emergency department. The differential diagnosis of the red eye is broad and can range from benign etiologies, such as conjunctivitis, to life- and sight-threatening conditions, such as endogenous endophthalmitis. Systemic diseases such as syphilis may present with primarily ocular symptoms, and ocular syphilis must be identified and managed appropriately to prevent devastating sequelae.

A Case of Post-cataract Surgery Endophthalmitis Successfully Treated with Conservative Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery often requires emergency surgery if caused by an infection. However, early reoperation after the surgery put a heavy mental burden on the patient. Here we report a relatively mild case of postoperative endophthalmitis in which emergency surgery was avoided through careful observation including gram stain and culture test. CASE: 87-year-old male. The patient had a sudden decrease in visual acuity on the 4th day after cataract surgery of the left eye performed at another hospital and visited his previous doctor on the following day. Postoperative endophthalmitis was suspected, so he was referred to our department on the same day. The inflammation was observed in the anterior segment of the left eye. The gram staining results for collected anterior aqueous humor were negative. The patient was followed up with continued medication and careful observation without undergoing emergency surgery. The inflammation of the anterior segment subsequently improved. The patient underwent a left vitrectomy three months later to remove residual vitreous opacity. CONCLUSION: Postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery is often indicated for emergency surgery, but there can be cases in which conservative therapy with thorough observation succeeds in retaining visual function.

CULTURE POSITIVITY RATES OF DEEP VITREOUS BIOPSY UNDER AIR VIS-À-VIS CONVENTIONAL ANTERIOR VITREOUS BIOPSY IN ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS.

PURPOSE: To describe the comparison of the culture positivity rates of deep vitreous biopsy under air and conventional anterior vitreous biopsy in endogenous endophthalmitis. MATERIALS: A retrospective, consecutive, comparative series including cases of endogenous endophthalmitis from January 2014 to January 2021. They were divided into those where conventional anterior vitreous biopsy was taken and those where a deep biopsy was taken under air (DBA group). The culture positivity rate among the two groups was compared, and factors affecting the same were analyzed by a regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 140 eyes in the conventional anterior vitreous biopsy group and 44 eyes in the DBA group. Sex, age, duration of symptoms, underlying systemic illness, presenting vision in logMAR, and total number of vitreous interventions were comparable between the two groups. Visual outcome was better in patients undergoing DBA as compared with those who underwent conventional anterior vitreous biopsy , (1.28 ± 1.01 logMAR, 20/380 vs. 1.88 ± 1.33 logMAR, 20/1,500, P = 0.03). No case in the DBA group developed retinal detachment or any complication attributable to the technique. In the conventional anterior vitreous biopsy group, the culture positivity was seen in 43/140 samples (30.71%), and in the DBA group, it was noted in 29/44 samples (65.9%). Taking a DBA was the only factor that was significant both in bivariate (odds ratio 4.36, 95% confidence interval 2.12-8.95, P < 0.0001) and multivariate analysis (odds ratio 4.02, 95% confidence interval 3.1-7.43, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Vitreous sampling can be performed from the deep vitreous cavity in endogenous endophthalmitis safely and effectively under air infusion, improving the culture positivity rates.

Use of systemic corticosteroids in patients newly registered at a claims database with a diagnosis of non-infectious uveitis: results from a real-world claims database analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the real-world dose of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis (NIU) in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective, observational study. METHODS: Patients newly registered at the Japan Medical Data Center health insurance claims database with a diagnosis of NIU who received systemic corticosteroids were identified, and their systemic corticosteroid dose (prednisolone equivalent) was assessed over 12 months of treatment (data extraction period: January 2008 to May 2017). RESULTS: The mean cumulative systemic corticosteroid dose in 12 months in 1641 new patients with NIU who received systemic corticosteroids was 593.7 mg. The mean systemic corticosteroid dose was highest at month 1 (10.7, 218.1, 16.7, and 23.0 mg/day in Behçet's disease [BD]-associated NIU [n = 19], Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada [VKH] disease-associated NIU [n = 49], sarcoidosis-associated NIU [n = 27], and "undifferentiated NIU" [NIU without specific primary disease information, n = 1545], respectively) and decreased over time. Systemic corticosteroids were prescribed at month 12 to 68.4%, 22.4%, 44.4%, and 5.6% of patients with BD-associated NIU, VKH disease-associated NIU, sarcoidosis-associated NIU, and undifferentiated NIU, respectively (mean dose, 6.0-14.3 mg/day). Multivariate regression analysis identified female sex, middle age (30 to < 40 years), VKH disease, and immunosuppressive agent use as background factors associated with higher systemic corticosteroid dose. CONCLUSIONS: The systemic corticosteroid dose was highest at month 1 and decreased over time in all disease categories. This database research revealed that some patients with NIU continued being prescribed systemic corticosteroids for at least 1 year.

Successful Treatment Bilateral Panuveitis with Multiple Systemic Infection in HIV/AIDS Patient: A Case Report.

There is an increasing number of HIV/AIDS patients in Indonesia, starting from <0.1% in 2010 to 0.4% in 2012, which warrants awareness of ocular manifestation in HIV. This might appear in 70-100% of patients with HIV. A 47 years old man came to the infection and immunology clinic with blurry vision on both eyes. He had been treated before but there was no clinical improvement. Examination showed both eyes had vitreous haziness. Visual acuity was 1/60 in both eyes with appearance of flare and cells within +3. Uveitis workup showed positive results for HIV, HSV and syphilis. Patient was given 100 mg of doxyciclin two times daily and fixed dose tablet which contains the combination of antiretroviral. Three months later, final acuity was 6/10 on the right eye and 6/18 on the left eye. Prompt diagnosis and treatment warrant good prognosis including multidisciplinary approach by ophthalmologist, clinical allergist and immunologist, and dermato-venerologist.

Indocyanine Green Angiography Features in Acute Syphilitic Posterior Placoid Chorioretinitis.

PURPOSE: Acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (ASPPC) is a rare clinical manifestation of ocular syphilis. The cause of the placoid lesion is still up for debate but could be caused by an impaired choriocapillaris perfusion. However, less attention has been paid to the hypofluorescence of the plaque on late-phase indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyze multimodal imaging findings in patients with ASPPC and to highlight the value of ICGA for the diagnosis of ASPPC. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case study. METHODS: The medical records of patients with uveitis who consulted our tertiary center between 2012 and December 2015 were reviewed. Patients who were diagnosed with uveitis related to syphilis infection with posterior placoid lesions seen on multimodal imaging were included. We compared the aspect of ASPPC on fundus color photography, blue autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and early-, mid- and late-phase ICGA. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes of 12 patients were included in the study. Hypofluorescent plaques were seen on late-phase ICGA in all eyes, corresponding to the placoid lesions visible on blue autofluorescence, while the choriocapillaris filling was normal on fluorescein angiography and ICGA. Within the plaques, optical coherence tomography showed ellipsoid zone disruptions, outer retinal disruptions, and retinal pigment epithelium granulations. CONCLUSION: ASPPC could be caused by retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction secondary to an infectious or inflammatory disorder, characterized by a hypofluorescence visible only on late-phase ICGA, and resulting in photoreceptor disruptions. The RPE impairment was reversible after prompt antibiotic treatment.

Study of the Correlation Between Severity of Endophthalmitis and Posterior Vitreous Detachment Using a Rabbit Endophthalmitis Model.

Purpose: We have reported that the absence of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is related to the onset and severity of infectious endophthalmitis, based on clinical experience. To demonstrate clinical findings in animal models, we created endophthalmitis models for the presence or absence of PVD and examined differences in severity. Method: We estimated a rabbit infectious eye model with and without PVD using Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PVD(+) and PVD(-) groups). After injection of bacteria inoculation for 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours, we evaluated the clinical score of the anterior chamber (n = 14). Removing the vitreous and retina from the enucleated eyeballs, the number of bacteria was counted using each specimen (n = 12). In addition, the number of inflammatory cells approximately 3 mm2 around the optic disc and histopathologic grading of intraocular inflammation was compared from histopathologic images (n = 7). Electroretinogram (ERG) was performed in experimentally infected rabbit eyes in both groups at three times after injection of the bacterial suspension. Results: There was no difference between the two groups in the clinical score of the anterior chamber of each time phase, but the bacterial cultures showed significantly fewer bacteria in the PVD(-) group 24 hours after bacterial inoculation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of inflammatory cells was significantly less in the PVD group (P < 0.05). As a result of ERG, the decreases of a- and b-waves in amplitude were significantly greater in the PVD(-) group than in the PVD(+) group. Conclusions: The present study confirms using animal models that the absence of PVD contributed to the severity of bacterial endophthalmitis.

Severe ophthalmia neonatorum in Southwest China: a 5-year review of demographics, microbiological results, and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the microbiological characteristics and risk factors of severe ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) in Southwest China. METHODS: In this retrospective review, data on demography, microbiological results, and risk factors were analyzed. Data were obtained from medical records of patients with severe ON treated at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2015 to December 2019. To understand the risk factors for severe ON, maternal and neonatal factors were compared between the severe and non-severe ON groups. RESULTS: A total of 1397 neonates with ON were included, of whom 12% (n = 172) had severe ON, and 88% (n = 1225) had non-severe ON. Microbial detection and drug susceptibility tests were performed on 169 patients with severe ON. Culture results were positive for 76 patients, with gram-positive bacteria in 71.1% (n = 54), gram-negative bacteria in 25.0% (n = 19), and multiple microorganisms in 3.9% (n = 3) neonates. The most commonly detected organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (29%) and Staph. epidermis (27%), followed by Escherichia coli (8%). Neisseria gonorrhea (8%), Moraxella catarrhal (5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (4%), Haemophilus influenza (4%), and Chlamydia trachomatis (1%). The main risk factors for severe ON were obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct (χ2 = 10.794, P = 0.001), meconium aspiration syndrome (χ2 = 6.252, P = 0.012), and cesarian section (χ2 = 5.118, P = 0.024). Neonatal ocular prophylaxis was a protective factor for severe conjunctivitis (χ2 = 6.905, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcus is the most common pathogen of severe ON. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is a risk factor for ON.