Aeromonas sobria endophthalmitis.

BACKGROUND

Aeromonas sobria causes a rare Gram-negative bacterial water-borne infection. It has been found in waters of North Queensland and South-east Asia. Of all Aeromonas species, A. sobria is the most virulent and invasive and has been reported to cause soft tissue infection and corneal ulcer.

METHODS

A 14-year-old Caucasian male from North Queensland presented following a penetrating eye injury in which a water bird (cormorant species) had pecked his eye while he was fishing. A fulminant endophthalmitis developed despite treatment with intravenous, intravitreal and topical antibiotics and initial wound repair. Enucleation was performed.

RESULTS

Aeromonas sobria was isolated from the vitreous aspirate.

CONCLUSION

Aeromonas sobria infection should be suspected in water-contaminated penetrating eye injuries. The prognosis in this case was poor.