Presumed endogenous Klebsiella pneumonia endophthalmitis in a premature infant

Treatment outcomes and clinicomicrobiological characteristics of a protocol-based approach for neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis

PURPOSE

To describe the outcomes and clinicomicrobiological profile of 11 years of a protocol-based management in neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective interventional study of endogenous endophthalmitis in 31 eyes of 26 neonates. The protocol for active infection included systemic antimicrobials, vitreous and/or aqueous tap, and intravitreal antimicrobials under topical or general anesthesia along with core vitrectomy in selected cases. Blood, urine, umbilicus, aqueous, and vitreous samples underwent microbiological evaluation. Retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment were done when indicated. Primary outcome was anatomic status assessed by comprehensive eye examination and by fundus photography whenever possible.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of 26 babies (81%) were preterm. Two types of presentations included those with a fulminant appearance (24 eyes) and those with focal retinitis detected during routine screening (7 eyes). Vitreous culture was positive in 12/20 eyes (60%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8) was the most common isolate. Incorrect initial diagnosis was common. Treatment included intravitreal injections in 26 eyes, 10 of which also underwent vitrectomy. Twenty-four of the 26 patients (92%) received parenteral antimicrobials and 17 had evidence of systemic infection. All eyes with a fulminant presentation developed phthisis, while all focal fungal cases were salvaged.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis has 2 distinct presentations. Focal retinal infections have good visual and anatomical outcomes while fulminant nosocomial cases do poorly. Management under topical anesthesia can be an alternative strategy for sick babies that cannot undergo surgery under general anesthesia due to systemic morbidity. Awareness about early diagnostic signs may help early referral.

Neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis: a report of six cases

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare but potentially blinding complication of neonatal sepsis. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential to avoid vision loss. Therapeutic options include systemic and intravitreal antibiotics, as well as vitrectomy in selected cases. We report a series of 6 premature very low birth weight neonates who developed endogenous endophthalmitis in our NICU over the past 3 years. Endophthalmitis was part of early-onset sepsis in 2 newborns, both of whom died, and late-onset sepsis in 4 newborns, of which 1 infant died. None of the neonates had any history of previous trauma or intervention to the eye. Maternal screening for congenital infections, including HIV, was negative in all. Causative organisms included Klebsiella pneumoniae (2 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2 cases), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1 case), and Candida albicans (1 case). All bacterial isolates showed resistance to first-line antibiotics. Of the 3 survivors, 2 infants had normal vision in the affected eye, and 1 developed phthisis bulbi after corneal perforation and required enucleation. This report draws attention to the emergence of endophthalmitis as a complication of neonatal sepsis in places where, although survival of very low birth weight newborns has increased significantly due to improved care, the burden of infection continues to be high. We emphasize the importance of daily examination of eyes as a part of routine clinical care in septic newborns for early diagnosis of endophthalmitis and prompt intervention in consultation with an ophthalmologist to optimize the outcome.

Endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia

PURPOSE

To investigate the management, bacterial strains, antibiotic sensitivities, and visual outcomes in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia and endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis.

METHODS

Data were collected for treatments, antibiotic sensitivity patterns, and final visual outcomes.

RESULTS

The study included 10 eyes of 9 patients with a median age of 42 years (range, 0-86 years). Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbid risk factor (n = 5, 56%). Nine eyes (90%) were treated with intravitreal antibiotics, and one with pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics. One eye achieved a favorable visual acuity of 20/20; however, 6 eyes developed vision of no light perception, including 2 of evisceration. Two nosocomial K. pneumoniae isolates were extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing strains, which demonstrated the resistance to amikacin and ceftazidime.

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmologists and physicians should be aware of Klebsiella pneumonia as a possible cause of endogenous endophthalmitis, and endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis usually causes poor visual outcomes.