RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIONS ENDOPHTHALM ITIS USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION (PCR) - A COMPLETION TO CONVENTIONAL MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTS

Background Endophthalmitis is, although relatively rare, a serious int raocular infection, which could result in a loss of visual function. T herefore, the rapid diagnosis and initiation of the appropriate treatm ent is of critical importance. To date, approximately 60 percent of ey es with a clinical diagnosis of infectious endophthalmitis show a posi t ive microscopic or culture result. By using the very sensitive polym erase chain reaction this number might increase.Patients and methods I n a series of 12 eyes with infectious endophtalmitis we have performed microscopic investigations, diagnostic culture iud polymerase chain r eaction in aqueous humor and vitreous in order to detect the infectiou s agent. Results Microscopic investigations showed a positive result i n the vitreous of 3 eyes. This number improved to 6 eyes using culture media. Significant less positive results were obtained in the aquous humor, The infectious agent could be detected in the aquous humor in a ll 12 eyes and in the vitreous in 9 eyes by PCR. Only in 2 eyes with a delayed endophthalmitis the vitreous was negative. Conclusions The de tection of the infectious agents was more, successful using PCR compar ed to conventional microbiological tests. In particular, for the diagn osis of delayed endophthalmitis PCR proves to be very superior, in all cases of delayed endophthalmitis the pathogen could be detected in th e aquous humor.