We compared the growth patterns of gram-negative bacilli in the vitreous humor (experimental endophthalmitis in rabbits) and in a subcutaneous site of infection (croton oil pouches in rats). In untreated animals, inoculation of Klebsiella pneumoniae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa into either site was followed by a period of rapid bacterial multiplication. Thereafter, the numbers of bacteria in the v...

PURPOSE 1) To evaluate the effects on the conjunctival flora of gentamicin ophthalmic eye drops 0.3%, given four times in 45 minutes, and a conjunctival rinse with 10 ml chlorhexidine 0.05% solution. 2) To investigate retrospectively the rate of endophthalmitis after cataract operations when these antimicrobials were applied preoperatively. METHODS Seventy-six patients undergoing standard pha...

Experimental anaerobic bacterial endophthalmitis was produced in pseudophakic and aphakic rabbits by using anterior chamber inoculation of 2.5 x 10(6) Propionibacterium acnes organisms. Clinical inflammation was more intense and prolonged in operated eyes with an intraocular lens in place. The presence of an intraocular lens favors the development of chronic low-grade P. acnes-related inflammat...

PURPOSE Bacillus endophthalmitis is a highly explosive infection of the eye that commonly results in rapid inflammation and vision loss, if not loss of the eye itself, within a few days. Quorum-sensing-controlled toxins are essential to virulence during infection. Another unique characteristic of this disease is the ability of Bacillus to replicate rapidly and migrate to all parts of the eye. T...

Bacillus cereus is a rare cause of serious human infection but, paradoxically, causes one of the most severe posttraumatic or endogenous infections of the eye, endophthalmitis, which frequently results in blindness. The virulence of B. cereus endophthalmitis historically has been attributed to toxin production. We therefore sought to examine the contribution of the dermonecrotic toxin, hemolysi...

The rates of post-operative endophthalmitis have been low for many years, but recent reports suggest that this type of ocular infection may be on the rise. Fluctuations in the number of cases appear to correlate with the type of intraocular surgery performed. Post-operative endophthalmitis has been reported as a consequence of nearly every type of ocular surgery, but is most common following ca...