CHORIORETINAL BIOPSY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS DUE TO ESCHERICHIA COLI.

Purpose: To describe the novel use of a chorioretinal biopsy technique to confirm the microbiological diagnosis of endogenous Escherichia coli (E. coli) endophthalmitis, when other investigations have been proven nondiagnostic.
Methods: Case report of an 82-year-old white man with endogenous endophthalmitis without a clearly identifiable source of infection.
Results: After systemic cultures and multiple aqueous and vitreous samples were unable to identify a causative organism, chorioretinal biopsy of a subretinal abscess was used to confirm the microbiological diagnosis. This ensured appropriate ophthalmic and systemic treatment of infection.
Conclusion: Endogenous E. coli endophthalmitis is a rare and aggressive condition usually seen in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes with concurrent urinary tract infection. This case demonstrates chorioretinal biopsy to be a viable and effective method of establishing a firm microbiological diagnosis in cases of culture-negative endophthalmitis.