Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management

Abstract Purpose To review the literature on endogenous subretinal abscess (SRA). Methods We searched in the literature for the terms ‘subretinal abscess’, ‘chorio-retinal abscess’ and ‘choroidal abscess’. Results A total of 122 patients were identified, of whom 20 patients (22 eyes) had no identifi...

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Main Authors: Beatrice Gallo, Ilaria Testi, Carlos Pavesio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2022-11-01
Series:Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-022-00315-0
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author Beatrice Gallo
Ilaria Testi
Carlos Pavesio
author_facet Beatrice Gallo
Ilaria Testi
Carlos Pavesio
author_sort Beatrice Gallo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose To review the literature on endogenous subretinal abscess (SRA). Methods We searched in the literature for the terms ‘subretinal abscess’, ‘chorio-retinal abscess’ and ‘choroidal abscess’. Results A total of 122 patients were identified, of whom 20 patients (22 eyes) had no identified systemic infective foci (group 1) and 102 (120 eyes) had systemic infective foci (group 2). The mean age for group 1 was 44.6 years (range 2 weeks-82 years) and for group 2 was 43.2 years (range 1–89 years). The responsible pathogen was identified in 90% and 95% of cases, respectively. In group 1 the most frequent causative agents were Aspergillus and Nocardia, while in group 2 were Nocardia, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Klebsiella. In both groups the most common symptoms were reduced vision (70% and 72.5%, respectively), pain (65% and 29.4%, respectively) and redness (35% and 17.6%, respectively). For group 1 there was no difference between mean initial and final visual acuity (1.7 logMAR, range 0–3 logMAR), while for group 2 mean initial and final visual acuities were 0.8 logMAR and 0.6 logMAR, respectively. Final visual acuity was significantly better in group 2 (p = 0.003). Anterior segment inflammation was seen in 77.3% of cases of group 1 and 66.7% of cases of group 2. In both groups the abscess most common locations were posterior pole (45.4% and 32.5%, respectively) and temporal periphery (13.6% and 13.3%, respectively). Clinical features included hemorrhages (76.5% and 76.3%, respectively) and subretinal fluid (75% in both groups). Diabetes mellitus (20% and 25.5%) and immunosuppressive drug intake (35% and 23.5%) were the main predisposing factors for SRA. Combination of systemic and intravitreal antibiotics/antifungals and vitrectomy was the main therapeutic strategy for both groups. Systemic treatment alone was used mainly for cases of tubercular etiology. The timing of vitrectomy differed between the two groups, as it more commonly followed the use of systemic and intravitreal antibiotics in the forms associated with systemic infective foci. Additional abscess drainage or intralesional antibiotics were performed in 23.8% of cases. Conclusion At present no guideline exists for the treatment of subretinal abscess. Systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is of primary importance and should be used in all cases unless contraindicated. Combination of systemic and local treatment is the most frequently adopted strategy.
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spelling doaj.art-2b55fe7520c64e85acb58a4b0b5a10c12022-12-22T04:20:27ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection1869-57602022-11-0112112710.1186/s12348-022-00315-0Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and managementBeatrice Gallo0Ilaria Testi1Carlos Pavesio2Uveitis Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation TrustUveitis Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation TrustUveitis Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAbstract Purpose To review the literature on endogenous subretinal abscess (SRA). Methods We searched in the literature for the terms ‘subretinal abscess’, ‘chorio-retinal abscess’ and ‘choroidal abscess’. Results A total of 122 patients were identified, of whom 20 patients (22 eyes) had no identified systemic infective foci (group 1) and 102 (120 eyes) had systemic infective foci (group 2). The mean age for group 1 was 44.6 years (range 2 weeks-82 years) and for group 2 was 43.2 years (range 1–89 years). The responsible pathogen was identified in 90% and 95% of cases, respectively. In group 1 the most frequent causative agents were Aspergillus and Nocardia, while in group 2 were Nocardia, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Klebsiella. In both groups the most common symptoms were reduced vision (70% and 72.5%, respectively), pain (65% and 29.4%, respectively) and redness (35% and 17.6%, respectively). For group 1 there was no difference between mean initial and final visual acuity (1.7 logMAR, range 0–3 logMAR), while for group 2 mean initial and final visual acuities were 0.8 logMAR and 0.6 logMAR, respectively. Final visual acuity was significantly better in group 2 (p = 0.003). Anterior segment inflammation was seen in 77.3% of cases of group 1 and 66.7% of cases of group 2. In both groups the abscess most common locations were posterior pole (45.4% and 32.5%, respectively) and temporal periphery (13.6% and 13.3%, respectively). Clinical features included hemorrhages (76.5% and 76.3%, respectively) and subretinal fluid (75% in both groups). Diabetes mellitus (20% and 25.5%) and immunosuppressive drug intake (35% and 23.5%) were the main predisposing factors for SRA. Combination of systemic and intravitreal antibiotics/antifungals and vitrectomy was the main therapeutic strategy for both groups. Systemic treatment alone was used mainly for cases of tubercular etiology. The timing of vitrectomy differed between the two groups, as it more commonly followed the use of systemic and intravitreal antibiotics in the forms associated with systemic infective foci. Additional abscess drainage or intralesional antibiotics were performed in 23.8% of cases. Conclusion At present no guideline exists for the treatment of subretinal abscess. Systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is of primary importance and should be used in all cases unless contraindicated. Combination of systemic and local treatment is the most frequently adopted strategy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-022-00315-0Subretinal abscessEndogenous endophthalmitisTherapeutic strategySystemic antibiotics
spellingShingle Beatrice Gallo
Ilaria Testi
Carlos Pavesio
Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection
Subretinal abscess
Endogenous endophthalmitis
Therapeutic strategy
Systemic antibiotics
title Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management
title_full Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management
title_fullStr Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management
title_full_unstemmed Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management
title_short Subretinal abscess: causative pathogens, clinical features and management
title_sort subretinal abscess causative pathogens clinical features and management
topic Subretinal abscess
Endogenous endophthalmitis
Therapeutic strategy
Systemic antibiotics
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-022-00315-0
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AT ilariatesti subretinalabscesscausativepathogensclinicalfeaturesandmanagement
AT carlospavesio subretinalabscesscausativepathogensclinicalfeaturesandmanagement