Dataset Information

Horse to human: Streptococcus equi septicemia presenting as endogenous endophthalmitis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To present a rarely reported systemic infection with streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (streptococcus equi), transmitted from a horse, and to describe successful treatment when complicated by endogenous endophthalmitis.

Observations

We diagnosed suspected streptococcus equi septicemia presenting as loss of vision in the right eye of an otherwise healthy polo player/horse trainer. He received immediate intravenous antibiotics and three vitrectomies with two intravitreal antibiotic injections during the first week, to cure infection and subsequent retinal detachment. Blood and initial vitreous cultures rapidly grew streptococcus equi. The septicemia was quickly controlled by systemic antibiotics without developing commonly seen and often fatal meningitis. The right eye recovered 20/30 visual acuity three months post infection.

Conclusions

Presentation of this rare septicemia as endogenous endophthalmitis illustrates the potentially lifesaving role of early diagnosis by the ophthalmologist. Immediate and recurrent vitrectomy in conjunction with intravitreal and systemic antibiotic therapy resulted in recovery of near normal vision, whereas less timely and interventional treatments have failed heretofore.

SUBMITTER: Morris RE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10825363 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

<i>Horse to human: Streptococcus equi</i> septicemia presenting as endogenous endophthalmitis.

Morris Robert E RE Doherty Sean S Oltmanns Matthew H MH Sapp Mathew R MR Wells Kevin K Patel Hershel R HR

American journal of ophthalmology case reports 20231208

<h4>Purpose</h4>To present a rarely reported systemic infection with <i>streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus</i> (<i>streptococcus equi</i>), transmitted from a horse, and to describe successful treatment when complicated by endogenous endophthalmitis.<h4>Observations</h4>We diagnosed suspected <i>streptococcus equi</i> septicemia presenting as loss of vision in the right eye of an otherwise healthy polo player/horse trainer. He received immediate intravenous antibiotics and three vitrect ...[more]

PMID: 38292882

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