EXPERIMENTAL BACILLUS-CEREUS POSTTRAUMATIC ENDOPHTHALMITIS AND TREATMENT WITH CIPROFLOXACIN

Background - Bacillus species remain an important cause of post-trauma tic endophthalmitis, often causing permanent visual loss. Methods - Tw enty two rabbits were used to evaluate the clinical and histological f indings of Bacillus cereus experimental post-traumatic endophthalmitis . Eyes that had received a scleral laceration and surgical repair were inoculated with Bacillus cereus. Thirty four other rabbits were used to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ciprofloxacin in treating exp erimental disease. Results - Animals developed a posttraumatic endopht halmitis that closely mimicked human disease, characterised by a rapid ly progressive and destructive endophthalmitis. Histological evaluatio n revealed retinal detachment, retinal necrosis, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the subretinal space. Intravitreal ciproflo xacin (100 mu g) prevented the development of disease when given 1 hou r and 6 hours after trauma and inoculation. Conclusions - Clinical and histological examination of experimental Bacillus cereus post-traumat ic endophthalmitis suggests that retinal detachment and retinal necros is play important roles in visual loss. Ciprofloxacin may be of benefi t in the management of certain intraocular infections following penetr ating injury.