Bordetella avium-associated endophthalmitis: case report

Abstract

Background Bordetella avium, an aerobic bacterium that rarely causes infection in humans, is a species of Bordetella that generally inhabits the respiratory tracts of turkeys and other birds. It causes a highly contagious bordetellosis. Few reports describe B. avium as a causative agent of eye-related infections. Case presentation We report a case of acute infectious endophthalmitis associated with infection by B. avium after open trauma. After emergency vitrectomy and subsequent broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, the infection was controlled successfully, and the patient’s vision improved. Conclusions B. avium can cause infection in the human eye, which can manifest as acute purulent endophthalmitis. Nanopore targeted sequencing technology can quickly identify this organism. Emergency vitrectomy combined with lens removal and silicone oil tamponade and the early application of broad-spectrum antibiotics are key for successful treatment.

The diagnostic utility of nanopore targeted sequencing in suspected endophthalmitis

“…It allowed early identification of the uncultured and time-consuming microorganisms (e.g. anaerobes and fungi), regardless of prior use of broad-spectrum antibiotics [, 15 , 16 ]. Therefore, NTS may function as a valuable supplementary to diagnostics when culture-based methods are flagged as negative.…”

“…Thus, NTS enables early targeted therapy by reducing detection time and clinical turnaround time. When atypical and virulent pathogens are detected and inadequate therapy is given, NTS may save vision and reduce the risk of blindness by altering antibiotic therapy without delay [, 15 , 16 ]. When no pathogens are detected or the detected microorganisms are determined to be non-pathogenic, this approach may contribute to an early de-escalation of broad-spectrum therapy, delaying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [ 19 ].…”