# Burkholderia cenocepacia Keratitis With Exogenous Endopthalmitis: A Complex Combination

## TL;DR

A 68-year-old man developed a rare eye infection caused by Burkholderia cenocepacia after working at a palm oil plantation, requiring aggressive antibiotic treatment.

## Contribution

This case highlights the rapid progression of B. cenocepacia keratitis to endophthalmitis and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

## Key findings

- B. cenocepacia keratitis progressed to exogenous endophthalmitis in a post-vitrectomy eye.
- Antimicrobial therapy, including intravitreal injections, successfully treated the infection.
- Early identification and treatment prevented severe outcomes like blindness.

## Abstract

In this report, we present a case of Burkholderia cenocepacia (B. cenocepacia)keratitis with exogenous endophthalmitis in a post-vitrectomy eye. The patient was a 68-year-old man with a history of treated corneal laceration and endophthalmitis who presented with acute pain, redness, and lid swelling affecting the left eye following working at a palm oil plantation. There was a paracentral corneal stromal infiltrate with dense vitritis in his left eye. Cornea cultures grew B. cenocepacia. He received two modalities of antimicrobials, including intravitreal injections and intensive topical antibiotics. Pars plana vitrectomy was not performed due to poor corneal visibility from a previous trauma scar. His stromal infiltrates and vitreous opacity responded to therapy that was sensitive to this organism, and the keratitis healed with scarring after a month. The progression of B. cenocepacia keratitis to endophthalmitis can be rapid. Early identification and appropriate commencement of antibiotics can prevent detrimental sequelae, including blindness and loss of the eyeball.