Case Report

Endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to bacterial meningitis from Neisseria Meningitidis: a case report and review of the literature

Konstantinos Balaskas^* and Dora Potamitou

• * Corresponding author: Konstantinos Balaskas konb77@yahoo.com

Author Affiliations

Ophthalmology Department, "Archbishop Makarios III" Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:149 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-149

Published: 7 October 2009

Abstract

Background

To report the case of a patient with endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to meningitis from Neisseria Meningitidis with early detection and good visual recovery.

Case report

A 20-year old patient treated for meningitis was referred to us for vision blurring of his left eye. Unilateral endogenous panophthalmitis was diagnosed with visual acuity hand movement at 1 meter and vitreous sample was obtained for culture. The patient was already receiving intravenous ceftriaxone and dexamethasone. Ceftazidime was injected intravitreally. Four months later visual acuity improved to 4/10 on the Snellen's scale but the development of extensive fibrous strands and the risk for vessel rupture led to vitreous surgery. One year later the visual acuity is stable at 5/10.

Conclusion

Endogenous endophthalmitis constitutes a rare complication of bacterial meningitis and its prompt diagnosis and administration of intravitreal antibiotics could lead to a more favorable visual prognosis.