Bilateral endophthalmitis as a primary manifestation of Streptococcus dysgalactiae endocarditis and the role of 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction in identification.

Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare complication of endocarditis. We present the case of a 72-year-old female who presented with heart failure and bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis. Endocarditis was confirmed on transesophageal echocardiography. All cultures were negative, but 16S rDNA sequencing on vitreal aspirates identified Streptococcus dysgalactiae as the likely pathogen. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.