Endogenous Endophthalmitis Following Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis

Ocular streptococcal infections: A clinical and microbiological review

Streptococcus is a diverse bacterial genus that is part of the ocular surface microbiome implicated in conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, dacryocystitis, and orbital cellulitis which can lead to decreased visual acuity and require surgical intervention. The pathophysiology of S. pneumoniae is well established and the role of the polysaccharide capsule, pneumolysin, neuraminidases, and zinc metalloproteinases in ocular infections described. Additionally, key virulence factors of the viridans group streptococci such as cytolysins and proteases have been outlined, but there is a paucity of research on the remaining streptococcus species. These virulence factors tend to result in aggressive disease. Clinically, S. pneumoniae is implicated in 2.7-41.2% of bacterial conjunctivitis cases, more predominant in the pediatric population, and is implicated in 1.8-10.7% of bacterial keratitis isolates. Streptococcus bacteria are significantly implicated in acute postoperative, post-intravitreal, and bleb-associated endophthalmitis, responsible for 10.3-37.5, 29.4, and 57.1% of cases, respectively. Group A and B streptococcus endogenous endophthalmitis is rare, but has a very poor prognosis. Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in cases of non-bacterial aetiology has contributed to increasing resistance, and a clinical index is needed to more accurately monitor this. Furthermore, there is an increasing need for prospective, surveillance studies of antimicrobial resistance in ocular pathogens, as well as point-of-care testing using molecular techniques.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis-The Clinical Significance of the Primary Source of Infection

Endophthalmitis is a severe form of ocular inflammation. The source of pathogens in endogenous endophthalmitis is located inside the body, and infection spreads hematogenously. Although rare, endogenous endophthalmitis is a very serious condition, as this type of inflammation is very devastating for ocular tissues. Prognosis is very poor, and the patients are often in a serious general condition, so they require special care and an individual approach in the treatment process. Thanks to the knowledge of the risks associated with infections of individual tissues and organs as well as potential pathogens and the clinical picture, it is possible to make a correct diagnosis faster and implement the correct treatment. In the case of endogenous endophthalmitis, reaction time is absolutely crucial for prognosis. In this review, we focus primarily on the importance of the primary source of infection for the course of the disease and prognosis.

A Case of Invasive Pneumococcal Infection with Septic Shock and Rare Complications

Invasive pneumococcus is a serious illness with potentially devastating outcomes. A 64-year-old female with a medical history of psoriatic arthritis and diabetes was transferred from an outside hospital for ventilator dependent respiratory failure and altered mental status. She initially presented with worsening back pain and was found to have leukocytosis with bandemia and acute renal failure but she was in septic shock upon arrival to our tertiary care center. Her blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae and MRI of the brain revealed pus within the posterior lateral ventricles and multiple infarcts. MRI of the spine revealed a psoas abscess. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed mitral valve vegetation and her right eye developed endogenous endophthalmitis. She was treated with intravenous and intravitreal antibiotics and underwent drainage of the abscess with no improvement in mental status. Repeat imaging revealed multiple new thalamic, basal ganglia, and parietal lobe infarcts likely from septic emboli. After a protracted ICU stay, the patient's family opted for comfort care. The incidence of invasive pneumococcal infections has declined rapidly since the advent of antibiotics and vaccines. With the growing incidence of antibiotic resistance as well as the emergence of new immunomodulating drugs for various pathologies, there is a concern that invasive infections will reemerge. Ventriculitis and endogenous endophthalmitis are very rare complications of pneumococcal bacteremia.