Capnocytophaga endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: This article presents three patients with endophthalmitis associated with infection with Capnocytophaga species.

METHODS

The medical records of three patients with culture-positive Capnocytophaga endophthalmitis were reviewed. A panel of isolates of Capnocytophaga were then tested for sensitivity to third-generation cephalosporins.

RESULTS

Endophthalmitis with Capnocytophaga species developed in three patients. Infection in the setting of sepsis developed in one patient. Two other patients, one with a penetrating injury and another with keratitis in association with a corneal graft, developed mixed infection with Capnocytophaga being the predominant infecting organism by culture. Two patients recovered vision with clearance of the infection. The third patient underwent enucleation. Capnocytophaga was found to be sensitive to several of the third-generation cephalosporins. To the best of the authors' knowledge, these are the first reported cases of endophthalmitis with Capnocytophaga species.

CONCLUSION

Capnocytophaga species, previously shown to cause necrotizing keratitis, is a potential cause of endophthalmitis, either as a single organism or as part of a mixed infection.