Endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes.

We treated a man who developed endopthalmitis six weeks after a seemingly minor injury. Cultures were positive for Propionibacterium acnes, an anerobic, Gram-positive rod that is a normal inhabitant of the conjunctiva but is rarely a cause of endophthalmitis. The patient underwent vitrectomy and lensectomy with intravitreal injection of antibiotics followed by systemic cephalothin and prednisone. Clinical and visual improvement was rapid.