From Gut to Globe: Endogenous Endophthalmitis as a Sentinel Sign of Polymicrobial Intra-Abdominal Infection

Authors

Dhruv Sethi
Bilal Khan
Bushra Rahman, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Arslon Humayun
Osama Ahmed
David Goldman, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Mohsin H Ali

Recommended Citation

Sethi D, Khan B, Rahman B, Humayun A, Ahmed O, Goldman D, and Ali MH. From Gut to Globe: Endogenous Endophthalmitis as a Sentinel Sign of Polymicrobial Intra-Abdominal Infection. Clin Case Rep 2026;14(2):e71946.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Publication Title

Clin Case Rep

Keywords

Klebsiella pneumoniae; endogenous endophthalmitis; hepatic abscess; polymicrobial bacteremia; vision loss

Abstract

A 42-year-old male presented with 1 week of left eye redness, pain, and severe vision loss. Examination revealed anterior chamber fibrin, vitritis, and vitreous opacities. B-scan ultrasonography showed mobile hyperechoic vitreous material with an attached retina. Given his recurring fevers, a vitreous tap and injection of intravitreal antibiotics was performed, followed by systemic infectious workup. Blood cultures revealed polymicrobial bacteremia with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella serogroup B, secondary to colonic and hepatic abscesses confirmed by CT. Despite treatment, the eye progressed to phthisis bulbi. This case underscores the importance of ocular symptoms in identifying serious systemic infections.

PubMed ID

41626100

Volume

14

Issue

2

First Page

71946

Last Page

71946