Polymerase chain reaction detection of Neisseria meningitidis in the Intraocular fluid of a patient with endogenous endophthalmitis but without associated meningitis

Purpose: To report a patient with Neisseria meningitidis endophthalmitis without associated meningitis with full visual recovery, with early detection of the microorganism using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Design: Retrospective, observational case report. Participants: One patient with endogenous endophthalmitis. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction analysis and culture of the intraocular fluid sample. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed with a universal (16S rRNA) primer set to detect bacterial DNA, and subsequently a specific probe was used to detect Neisseria species DNA. Results: The 16S rRNA primers detected bacterial DNA, the specific probe detected Neisseria species DNA, and culture was positive for Neisseria meningitidis serotype C. Conclusions: A universal bacterial PCR can be very helpful for the diagnosis of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis at an early stage of the disease. (C) 2003 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.