Purpose: To report the clinical features, antibiotic susceptibilities, and visual outcomes associated with endophthalmitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Methods: A consecutive case series. Microbiology database records were retrospectively reviewed for all patients with endophthalmitis caused by P. aeruginosa from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2012, at a large university referral center. The corresponding clinical records were then reviewed to evaluate the endophthalmitis clinical features and treatment outcomes.
Results: In the 12 patients identified, clinical settings included postcataract surgery (n = 4), postpenetrating keratoplasty (n = 3), endogenous source (n = 2), post-pars plana vitrectomy (n = 1), trabeculectomy bleb-associated setting (n = 1), and glaucoma drainage implant-associated setting (n = 1). All patients presented with hypopyon. Presenting visual acuity was hand motions or worse in all cases. All isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime and levofloxacin. When comparing isolates in this study with isolates from a previous study (1987 to 2001), the minimal inhibitory concentration required to inhibit 90% of isolates (MIC 90, in micrograms per milliliter) remained the same for ceftazidime (8), ciprofloxacin (0.5), imipenem (4), tobramycin (0.5), and amikacin (4). Initial treatment strategies were vitreous tap and injection (n = 9) and pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics (n = 3). Final visual acuity was light perception or worse in 11 of the 12 patients (92%). Five patients underwent enucleation (42%).
Conclusion: All isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime and levofloxacin, and all MIC 90s for isolates in the current period compared with isolates from 1987 to 2001 remained identical. Despite early and appropriate treatment, outcomes were generally poor with a high rate of enucleation.