Acute post-traumatic endophthalmitis secondary to Propionibacterium acnes

Propionibacterium acnes has rarely been reported as the causative organism in acute endophthalmitis following penetrating ocular trauma. We report a 53-year-old man, who presented with best corrected vision of counting fingers at 2 m, <N36, in the right eye and clinical features suggestive of endophthalmitis following penetrating trauma with a tree branch 2 days earlier. Conjunctival swab, aqueous and vitreous tap were sent for aerobic, anaerobic and fungal culture. The patient was treated with intravitreal ceftazidime, vancomycin along with topical antibiotics and steroids. An aqueous anaerobic culture was positive for P acnes. At the fifth month follow-up, the best corrected vision had improved to 20/20, N6. Thus, a good visual outcome was achieved, following appropriate treatment of a rather unusual causative organism.