Clinico-Microbiological Correlation in Salmonella Endophthalmitis: Case Series and Review of Literature

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report two rare cases of Salmonella endogenous endophthalmitis in an immunocompromised premature baby and an immunocompetent adult and do a brief literature review of related cases. Diagnosis in both cases was confirmed only after the pathogen grew from ocular samples, in the absence of clear signs of enteric fever.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of medical and microbiology records.

Results

Both of our cases of Salmonella endophthalmitis had poor visual outcome, despite timely and aggressive management and irrespective of immune status of the patient. Salmonella infection being a rare cause of endophthalmitis was not initially suspected as the adult had minimal systemic symptoms 2 weeks before presentation, while the preterm baby was still on milk feeds. These were just two microbiologically confirmed cases of Salmonella endophthalmitis at our institute over the past 10 years, though enteric fever due to Salmonella species is endemic in Asian countries.

Conclusions

Salmonella endophthalmitis, though rare, leads to poor visual outcomes despite early recognition and aggressive management and may be confused with other infections or non-infectious entities such as necrotizing retinoblastoma in babies, in the absence of clear systemic signs of the disease.

KEYWORDS:

• Antibiotic susceptibility Salmonella species
• endogenous endophthalmitis
• endophthalmitis in immunocompetent
• endophthalmitis with retinopathy of prematurity
• Salmonella endophthalmitis

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation (HERF).