To evaluate the clinical characteristics of bacterial culture, and visual outcome in patients with acute endophthalmitis.

Clinical records of patients treated for acute endophthalmitis in GNUH from 2000 to 2009 were reviewed. The specimens for culture were obtained from the anterior chamber or vitreous. Clinical outcome measures were bacterial culture, culture rate, and final visual acuity.

Cultures (total 59 cases) showed bacterial growth in 37 cases (63%). Among 35 cases vitreous specimens, bacteria growth was found in 22 cases (63%), and from the 27 anterior chamber specimens, 12 cases (44%) were culture positive. From these 37 bacterial-positive cultures, 11 (30%) were coagulase negative Staphylococcus species, 16 (43.0%) were other Gram-positive species, 9 (24%) were Gram-negative species, and 1 (3%) produced a polymicrobial culture. Final visual acuity above 0.5 was achieved in 16 of 59 (27%) cases and coagulase negative Staphylococcus species had the greatest proportion being 5 of 11 (45%).

The bacterial culture positivity rate in bacterial endophthalmitis was 63%, and the culture yield rate from the vitreous was higher than the anterior chamber aqueous samples. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus species were the most common causative organisms and showed the best final visual outcome in endophthalmitis.