Chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes.

Persistent intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation is acquiring importance. Frequently, chronic uveitis or the "toxic lens syndrome" have to be differentiated from bacterial infection. This report describes five cases with chronic postoperative endophthalmitis where the anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium acnes was found to be the causative organism. Adequate anaerobic culture media and proper sampling from the area around the lens haptics are the most important requirements for the detection of P. acnes.