STENOTROPHOMONAS MALTOPHILIA ENDOPHTHALMITIS 1 MONTH AFTER INTRAVITREAL AFLIBERCEPT

PURPOSE: Endophthalmitis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is rare and has been described after cataract surgery and open globe injuries. We report a patient with endophthalmitis caused by this organism after uncomplicated intravitreal aflibercept injection.

METHODS: A 70-year-old man with a history of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for diabetic macular edema presented 23 days after aflibercept injection with clinical diagnosis of endophthalmitis. The patient initially had mild pain, conjunctival congestion, and anterior chamber cell; 2 days later, the patient returned with hand motion visual acuity, hypopyon, and dense vitritis.

RESULTS: A tap and inject procedure was performed. The aqueous sample confirmed the presence of S. maltophilia. Antimicrobial testing showed susceptibility to ceftazidime which was used during the initial treatment. After resolution of the vitritis and hypopyon, the visual acuity returned to 20/70 at his 3-month follow-up examination.

CONCLUSION: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a rare infectious agent associated with intravitreal injection and may present 1 month after treatment.