Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis caused by HACEK microorganism

Am J Ophthalmol. 2002 Jan;133(1):144-5. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(01)01250-8.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis caused by a HACEK group organism (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans).

Methods: An 85-year-old Caucasian female presented with bilateral light perception visual acuity, anterior chamber cells, hypopyon, posterior synechiae, and no red reflex.

Results: The patient underwent bilateral vitrectomy, with topical, intravitreal, and systemic antibiotics. Vitreous cultures revealed gram-negative cocco bacilli consistent with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. At final follow-up, visual acuity was 20/25 RE and 20/40 LE.

Conclusions: Prompt diagnosis and treatment of HACEK [Hemophilus sp. (parainfluenzae, aphrophilus, paraphrophilus), Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corodens, and Kingella kingae] group bacterial endophthalmitis can yield good results.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacillus Infections / diagnosis
  • Actinobacillus Infections / microbiology*
  • Actinobacillus Infections / therapy
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
  • Endophthalmitis / diagnosis
  • Endophthalmitis / microbiology*
  • Endophthalmitis / therapy
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous Body / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents