Agrobacterium radiobacter Endophthalmitis Associated with Baerveldt Tube Exposure

Abstract

Agrobacterium radiobacter is a Gram-negative bacillus and a rare cause of endophthalmitis. An 85-year-male presented with late-onset endophthalmitis associated with exposure of an inferonasal Baerveldt tube. The patient was initially treated with anterior chamber paracentesis and intravitreal antibiotics. Aqueous humor culture revealed A. radiobacter resistant to cefazolin, ceftazidime, amikacin, tobramycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Subsequently, the patient underwent explantation of the glaucoma drainage implant (GDI). After initial improvement, the patient had clinical worsening and was diagnosed with recurrence. Subsequent treatment involved explantation of the second GDI in addition to pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil infusion, intraocular lens removal, and administration of intravitreal antibiotics. Visual acuity improved but remained at count fingers at 2 weeks. This is the first reported patient with A. radiobacter endophthalmitis associated with an exposed GDI. This report illustrates the resistant nature of this organism in addition to the efficacy of silicone oil administration and intraocular prosthesis explantation.

Keywords

• agrobacterium radiobacter
• endophthalmitis
• baerveldt tube