Broth culture successful in examination of endophthalmitis

The Bactec Peds Plus F broth could have several advantages over traditional methods of examining suspected cases of endophthalmitis, a study found.

In a prospective clinical trial, Assaf Kratz, MD, and colleagues found that using the broth culture saves time, in that only one medium must be inoculated. In addition, since its use does not require immediate incubation or maintenance of fresh agar media, transportation to the laboratory is easier, Dr. Kratz and colleagues said.

“This method is especially suitable for office settings and remote clinics, but also can be used in hospital settings, as an adjunct, to increase the growth yield,” Dr. Kratz and colleagues said.

They cultured 13 cases of clinically suspected endophthalmitis both in the Bactec Peds Plus F broth and using the traditional method. They found that the overall growth rate for Bactec broth was 28.4% higher than the traditional method.

According to Dr. Kratz and colleagues, in two cases there was positive growth found only in the Bactec broth. One of these was acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis from Streptococcus mitis and the other delayed-onset postoperative endophthalmitis from Candida albicans. The study was published in the June issue of American Journal of Ophthalmology.