Bilateral Klebsiella pneumoniae (K1 serotype) endogenous endophthalmitis as the presenting sign of disseminated infection.

The authors report a rare presentation of bilateral Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis in an ambulatory patient without other known medical conditions. A 51-year-old Chinese woman presented with severe bilateral reduction in vision, photophobia, pain, and eyelid swelling. Hospital admission and evaluation revealed vitreous, blood, and urine cultures positive for K. pneumoniae (K1 serotype). Additional work-up revealed endocarditis, multiple liver abscesses, brain abscesses, and left lobar pneumonia. The patient underwent multiple bilateral intravitreal antibiotic injections. Ultimate visual acuity was no light perception in both eyes. K. pneumoniae endogenous endophthalmitis is a severe but potentially subclinical disease. Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and recognition of risk factors including Asian ancestry and other sources of systemic infection including, most commonly, liver abscess.