Enterococcus faecalis Endophthalmitis in Children – A 21 Year Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report Enterococcus faecalis endophthalmitis (EFE) in children and its comparison with adults.

Methods: Retrospective study of 19 children up to 18 years age, undergoing vitrectomy for EFE at a referral eye center from January 1995 to December 2015. The results were compared to 18 adults with EFE.

Results: The mean age was 7.4 ± 3.06 years. Post-traumatic EFE was seen in 17 (89.4%) children (p < 0.05) versus postoperative EFE seen in 12 (66%) adults. Broomstick 9 (52.9%) and hypodermic needle injury 6 (35.2%) were common associations. “Optimum functional outcome” was achieved in 12 (63.1%) eyes of children and 5 (27.7%) eyes of adults (p = 0.03). Sealed and Zone II wounds, lens, and needle injuries had good outcome whereas intervention after 3 days and retinal detachment had poor outcomes (p < 0.05). The was no correlation with the Ocular Trauma Score.

Conclusion: EFE in children is rare; seen with broom stick and needle injuries, if managed early recovers optimum vision.

Keywords:

• Broom stick injury
• Children
• Endophthalmitis
• Enterococcus faecalis
• Hypodermic needle injury
• Post-traumatic endophthalmitis
• Self-sealing ocular wounds

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The staff at Vitreoretinal services, Microbiology services and Pediatric Ophthalmology services at Medical Research Foundation are acknowledged.

DECALARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.