Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia Endophthalmitis Caused by Surgical Equipment Contamination: An Emerging Nosocomial Infection

Purpose: we report three cases of stenotrophomonas maltophilia endophthalmitis after uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation-related to surgical equipment contamination. case report: all patients developed acute,culture-positive endophthalmitis in a period ranging from 2 to 13 days. cultures from vitreous tap,as well as those obtained from the hand-piece of the irrigation-aspiration system,revealed s. maltophilia as the causing infectious agent. all patients received intravitreal antibiotic treatment as initial therapy,nevertheless,visual disturbance continued to be present,hence pars plana vitrectomy was required. conclusion: contamination of surgical-reusable equipment should be considered in addition to the well-known risk factors associated with development of endophthalmitis by s. maltophilia.