Review of endogenous endophthalmitis during pregnancy including case series

Abstract

Endogenous endophthalmitis during pregnancy is a rare condition with few reports of such infections in the peri- and post-partum period. We reviewed the literature on endogenous endophthalmitis in pregnancy and also report a series of four patients who presented to our institution from January 2011 to September 2011. We retrospectively reviewed four patients who developed endogenous endophthalmitis either during pregnancy (two patients) or in the post-partum period (two patients--one after abortion and one after normal term delivery). Presenting visual acuity ranged from finger counting at 3 m to no perception of light. Positive cultures included Bacillus mycoides (vitreous) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (urine). Vitrectomy was performed in three patients. In one patient, the vision improved to 20/20. On reviewing the literature and our experience we concluded that endogenous endophthalmitis related to pregnancy is a rare entity with visual prognosis generally being poor. Fluoroquinolones are best avoided. Cephalosporins and amphotericin B are generally the preferred drugs.