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Purpose : To report a case of delayed implant infection with Cutibacterium acnes ( C. acnes , previously known as Propionibacterium acnes ) 30 years after silicone sheet orbital floor implant. Methods : Case report with orbital imaging. Results : A 61-year-old male with a history of traumatic orbital floor fracture right eye (OD) repaired using a silicone sheet orbital floor implant 30 years prior, presented with 6 months of painless blepharoptosis and diplopia OD. On examination, there was 3 mm right upper eyelid blepharoptosis and hyperglobus. There was no globe proptosis, dysmotility, or compression and no cutaneous erythema, hyperthermia, discharge, or tenderness to palpation. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic mass in the inferior orbit in the region of the floor implant, measuring 25 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness. By MRI, T1-weighted images revealed a hypointense signal within the mass and T2-weighted images showed hyperintense signal with a flat hypointensity centrally representing the floor implant. Microbiologic cultures grew C. acnes . Conclusions : C. acnes can manifest several decades after placement of an orbital prosthetic implant, leading to delayed infection.

Purpose: Tsukamurella is an important and emerging organism that causes opportunistic human infection. We present the largest case series of Tsukamurella species-associated ophthalmic infections, with an emphasis on clinical spectrum, risk factors, treatment, and outcome., Methods: A case series of culture-positive Tsukamurella species in ocular microbiological specimens was identified retrospectively from 2005 to 2018. Tsukamurella species were identified by phenotypic, molecular, and genotypic methods. Diagnoses were clinical and were supplemented by microbiological findings. Treatment including antibiotic type, number of antibiotics, treatment duration, and clinical outcome was documented., Results: Eleven cases of culture-positive Tsukamurella ocular infection were identified. Of these 54.5% (6/11) of cases resulted in conjunctivitis, 18% (2/11) of cases resulted in keratitis, and 9% (1/11) of cases resulted in blepharitis. One case of canaliculitis and 1 case of postenucleation ocular implant-related infection were reported, which were both novel findings. The presence of ocular implant and preexisting ocular surface diseases such as exposure keratopathy and ectropion were thought to be predisposing factors. We have demonstrated that treatment of Tsukamurella ocular conjunctivitis, keratitis, and blepharitis was effective using a combination therapy of 2 antibiotics (fluoroquinolone, fusidic acid, or chloramphenicol). Canaliculitis and ocular implant infection required further addition of oral antibiotics (macrolide or doxycycline), canaliculotomy, and removal of the infected implant for satisfactory management., Conclusions: Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens and Tsukamurella pulmonis were found to be the predominant species that caused ocular infection. Ocular manifestation of Tsukamurella has a wider spectrum than that previously reported. A high-level of suspicion and a low threshold for microbiological sampling in cases with prolonged ocular surface infection are recommended to diagnose Tsukamurella infections.

Corynebacterium amycolatum is a saprophyte gram-positive bacillus of the skin flora. It has been linked to diverse infections in immunocompromised patients and also of different types of prostheses. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports on its ability to produce ocular infections or to grow over alloplastic materials for orbital surgery. We present a case of orbital implant exposure including pure isolation of C. amycolatum. The patient was referred for discharge in his socket. After removal of the artificial eye, a large area of implant exposure and signs of chronic infection were observed. A microbiological sample was taken by rubbing the implant with a sterile swab. The sample was cultured and C. amycolatum was identified by phenotypical characterization. Other microbial species were not isolated. Besides being able to adhere to cardiac and joint devices, this case shows that C. amycolatum is a potential infectious agent of orbital prostheses. Pure isolation of C. amycolatum in an ocular sample is extremely rare and suggests an etiological role of this microorganism in an ocular or periocular infection.

Purpose: To investigate microbiologic trends and role of biofilm on periorbital biomaterials surgically explanted for recalcitrant infection., Methods: A search of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine microbiology laboratory electronic database was conducted from 1980 to 2010. Culture results were analyzed from submitted periorbital biomaterials explanted for nonresolving infections or exposure. Random select samples cultured during the study were sent for electron microscopy., Results: Twenty-one explanted biomaterials were identified from 18 patients. Five orbital plate implants included 2 made of nylon, 1 of porous polyethylene, 1 of silicone, and 1 metallic. Of 4 anophthalmic socket sphere implants, 2 were silicone, 1 was porous polyethylene, and 1 was poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Lacrimal intubation devices included 10 silicone stents and 2 pyrex glass Jones tubes. All biomaterials were culture positive with 40 total isolates identified. The most common organisms overall were Mycobacterium chelonae (N = 9), Staphylococcus aureus (N = 8), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N = 3). One hundred percent of orbital spheres had Gram-positive organisms, 90% of lacrimal silicone stents grew atypical mycobacterium, and 60% of orbital plates were culture positive for yeast species. Mixed organism growth was documented on 58% of the specimens. Ten of 12 implants (83%) examined with electron microscopy exhibited organisms encased in glycocalyx, suggestive of biofilm., Conclusions: A diverse array of microorganisms can colonize biomaterials implanted within the orbit and lacrimal drainage system. The authors' study showed that the majority of infected periocular and orbital alloplastic implants display biofilm when studied with electron microscopy (83%). The cultured organism type depended on the implant location and composition. Most infected silicone lacrimal stents grew atypical mycobacterium, whereas infected orbital fracture repair plates demonstrated yeast species. Biofilms are known to be antibiotic resistant, explaining the need to explant most infected alloplastic implants. Further research concerning treatment of biofilms may prevent explantation and improve surgical outcomes.

Purpose: To analyze implant infection in patients with porous orbital implants., Methods: A retrospective analysis of 212 patients with one of five types of porous orbital implants (bone-derived hydroxyapatite [HA], coralline HA, synthetic HA, porous polyethylene, and aluminium oxide) was conducted. Reasons for surgery, type of surgery, type of implant, peg system used, time of pegging, problems before and after pegging, treatment, and follow-up duration were recorded for all patients, along with additional data including time of onset of infection, microorganism cultured, antibiotics used, patient response to antibiotic therapy, additional interventions, and final status for patients with infection., Results: Of the 212 patients with porous orbital implants, 116 (54.72%) were pegged. Implant infection was observed in 11 of 116 patients (9.48%) with pegs, whereas 0% of unpegged implants was infected (p = 0.001). The interval between pegging and the onset of infection was 3 to 83 months (average, 36.27 +/- 29.12 months). Implant exposure was noted in 5 of the 11 patients with infection. Symptoms resolved completely with antibiotic treatment in 7 patients. One patient required implant removal as the result of frequent exacerbations. The remaining 3 patients presented with hemorrhagic, purulent discharge and/or pyogenic granuloma on their last visits after being free of symptoms for 5 to 6 months., Conclusions: Implant infection is a serious problem that requires additional patient visits, intensive antibiotic therapy, surgery, or some combination of these. Existence of a peg system appears to play a role in implant infection. Infection may develop as late as 6 to 7 years after pegging, and the patient should be cautioned about potential late-onset problems. It is possible to control the infection with appropriate antibiotic therapy; removal should be reserved for refractory cases.

Porous orbital implant infection is rare. The diagnosis may be delayed as the initial symptoms and signs are not always indicative of implant infection. It is often only with time, a persistence of symptoms and signs, and additional symptoms and signs that implant infection is suspected.

The purpose of this report is to document an unusual case of implant infection in a patient who had undergone enucleation and hydroxyapatite orbital implant surgery. A 32-year-old woman presented with chronic orbital discomfort and discharge following a history of hydroxyapatite orbital implant surgery at another hospital 4 years previous. She exhibited profuse discharge with a yellow, creamy color and marked conjunctival chemosis. Granulation tissue was noted on the central conjunctival surface. Following the removal of the conjunctival granulation tissue, a central 3x5 mm conjunctival dehiscence was present with exposure of the hydroxyapatite implant. A culture of purulent drainage emanating from the exposed implant showed a growth of Clostridium acetobutylicum. Removal of the orbital implant was done. The implant was noted to be filled with pus. This case suggests that anaerobic infection may be suspected when the granulation tissue is observed and a discharge with a foul odor is found.

Background: Exposure and minor complications of hydroxyapatite orbital implants are common. Infection appears to be rare and fibrovascular ingrowth into hydroxyapatite implants may make infection and extrusion less likely than with other types of orbital implant., Methods: We describe three cases of chronic low-grade infection of hydroxyapatite implants, occurring late after apparently uncomplicated surgery, with tiny or inapparent areas of conjunctival loss or exposure., Results: Two of the three cases grew Staphylococcus oureus on culture. All three implants ultimately needed to be removed. A characteristic histological pattern was seen, with abrupt transition between vascularized and abscessed implant., Conclusions: Chronic infection of hydroxyapatite implants can occur late, in the absence of large conjunctival defects, or other obvious risk factors. While exposure of the implant to pathogens through a breach in the conjunctiva may have been a factor, it appeared that the infection may have arisen in an avascular portion of the implant prior to the conjunctival breakdown in one or more of these cases.

A 68-year-old woman experienced an infection of a porous polyethylene orbital implant caused by Capnocytophaga after a dental procedure. The infection was unresponsive to both topical and oral antibiotics and required removal of the porous polyethylene orbital implant. Capnocytophaga is a capnophilic, gram-negative bacillus. Capnocytophaga is a normal commensal of the mouth and is responsible for both gingivitis and periodontal disease. Capnocytophaga is a rare cause of ocular infections. This is the first reported patient with an infection of a porous polyethylene orbital implant caused by Capnocytophaga. The authors believe infected integrated orbital implants must be removed because neither topical or systemic therapy provide effective treatment.