Delayed-onset postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Hafnia alvei

PURPOSE. TO identify Hafnia alvei as an etiological factor of delayed-onset endophthalmitis. CASE REPORT. A 68-year-old woman had uneventful cataract extraction by phac oemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantati on under topical anesthesia in the left eye. Four weeks later, the patient presented anterior uveitis treated by topical corticosteroids. Seven weeks later a posterior uveitis with retinal vasculitis appeared. The patient was treated by systemic and intravitreal corticosteroids without result. Due t o the poor course pars plana vitrectomy was done, and a vitreous sample was taken. Microbiologic examination disclosed Hafnia alvei, gram-negative bac teria rarely isolated from human specimens. CONCLUSLONS. Hafnia alvei should be considered in the etiology of delayed-o nset endophthalmitis.