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Br J Ophthalmol 2007;91:1249-1250 doi:10.1136/bjo.2006.111708
  • Letter

A case of bilateral endophthalmitis and carriage of β-defensin 1 –44CC genotype

  1. James Carter1,
  2. Amanda J Churchill2,
  3. Chris Gorman3,
  4. Richard Haynes4
  1. 1
    University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
  2. 2
    University of Bristol, Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol, UK
  3. 3
    University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
  4. 4
    Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol, UK
  1. Dr A J Churchill, Consultant Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol, Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LX, UK; a.j.churchill{at}bristol.ac.uk
  • Accepted 8 December 2006

β-defensins are innate antimicrobial peptides found in a variety of ocular tissues and are critical to the immune response.1–3 We present a case of bilateral endophthalmitis and show the carriage of the –44CC genotype in β-defensin 1. The polymorphism has previously been linked to increased susceptibility to infection.4–7

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Table 1 Sequence variations seen in β-defensin 1 and β-defensin 2 genes in a patient with bilateral endophthalmitis

Case report

An 80-year-old man underwent cataract surgery in the right eye complicated by a capsular tear. Within 4 days he returned with a hypopyon, painful loss of vision and reddening of the right eye. Endophthalmitis was diagnosed, an urgent vitreous tap was performed and intravitreal cetazidime and vancomycin were started. Microscopical examination revealed Gram-positive cocci, but no final growth of organisms. The right eye responded to treatment, but 1 month later a retinal detachment was diagnosed in the same eye. This was surgically repaired without complications. A year later, after an uncomplicated left cataract surgery in another hospital, the patient presented again with endophthalmitis symptoms, including hypopyon, rapid visual loss (hand movements), pain and reddening of the …

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