It is about an exceptional case of endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumonia. The patient was a 50-year-old female, who was admitted for fever and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed an abscess measured 8 cm and located in segment 7 of the liver. It was treated by antibiotics and percutaneous transhepatic drainage. Pus sample was positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. On day 3 after admission, patient complained of a red left eye with decreased vision. The diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis was strongly suspected. An Early treatment was initiated with a good evolution. 

The syndrome Endophthalmitis-hepatic abscess is an exceptional syndrome rarely reported in the literature. It must evoked in case of hepatic abscess caused by klebsiella pneumonia.

Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare eye infection (2 to 8% of all endophthalmitis [1], and is secondary to sepsis. The portal entry is, in most cases, a deep infectious focus (cardiac, digestive, urinary). Indeed, the endocular infection is occurring by hematogenous pathway. The visual prognosis is reserved. This infection lead to poor outcome in terms of visual acuity. The prognosis is depending on the germ in question and the treatment efficiency. 

We report an exceptional association of endogenous endophthalmitis with pyogenic liver abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumonia.

A 50-year-old woman was admitted with a 1-week history of fever and right upper quadrant pain. On admission, temperature was 38, 5°C and there was a right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness. Blood investigations showed the following data: hemoglobin, 12 g/dl; white blood cells count, 15,600/mm3; a blood glucose level of 16 mmol/l and C reactive protein level of 200 mg/l. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed a low density lesion that measures 8 cm suggestive of liver abscess (Figure 1). It was located in segment 7 of the liver. 

Figure 1: Abdominal computed tomography scan showing a low density lesion in the liver suggestive of liver abscess (red arrow).

These findings led to the diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess for which drainage was performed. Pus samples and blood cultures were positive for Klebsiella.pneumoniae. The patient was treated with levofloxacin and Metronidazole. On day 3 after admission, an ophthalmic examination was perfomed as the patient complained of a painful left right eye with low visual acuity (figure 2). 

Figure 2: The left eye was erythematous with swelling and redness.

A slit lamp examination revealed cells and flare in the right eye anterior chamber, posterior synechiae, an important vitritis, the fundus was barely visible. The diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis was strongly suspected. B-mode echo tomography showed mobile echoes in the vitreous area with total Retinal detachment (figure 3). 

Figure 3: B-mode echo tomography showed mobile echoes in the vitreous area.

The patient was treated with topical ceftazidime (50 mg/ml) hourly as well as prednisolone acetate 1% fourtimes daily and atropine 1% twice daily. The evolution was favorable with an improvement in visual acuity and reduction in ocular redness. 

Endogenous endophthalmitis is an exceptional intraocular infection, which results from the hematogenous spread of a microorganism from a septic focus. It accounts for 2 to 8% of all endophthalmitis, it is much more rare than exogenous endophthalmitis (post-surgical or post traumatic) [2, 3]. Endogenous endophthalmitis preferentially affects 
immunosuppressed patients: diabetic individuals in particular. Portals entry are endocarditis (46% of cases), followed by gastrointestinal, genitourinary, dental, hepatic, meningeal and pulmonary infections.

 However, it remains unknown in 10% of cases [4]. In our case the portal entry was hepatic realizing the syndrome Endophthalmitis-hepatic abscess». The main germ involved is klebsiella pneumaniae and the serotype K1 is more particularly responsible for endogenous endophthalmitis. This syndrome involves the visual prognosis and sometimes vital. Well described in Asian populations, it affects Caucasian populations with an increasing number of reported cases [5]. 
Its description in Tunisia remains exceptional. To our knowledge, this is the 2st case reported in Tunisia.This entity must be recognized very early. Indeed, appropriate antibiotic therapy should be given to the patient in extreme emergency. The visual prognosis is involved with the risk of permanent blindness. The mortality rate varies between 3 and 42% in the literature [5].

The syndrome Endophthalmitis-hepatic abscess"is an exceptional syndrome rarely reported in the literature. It must evoked in case of hepatic abscess caused by klebsiella pneumonia. Early Treatment should be performed. This may increase the chances for rescuing the eye and improving the visual outcome.

Acknowledgments

None

Disclosure of conflict of interest

No conflict of interest 

Statement of informed consent

None