Endophthalmitis: Gram positive ethiological agents and susceptibility to glycopeptides

Endophthalmitisi s a seriouss ight-threateningc ondition, with a postoperativei ncidenceo f 0.13 -0.7%. Thrsstudy aimed to investigate the spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria causing culture-proven endophthalmitis and their susceptibilityto teicoplanin and vancomycin. At this purpose, minimum inhibitory concentrations of teicoplanin and vancomycinof Gram-positive bacteria isolated in the period 2001-2007 from vitreous cultures were determined.Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common organisms ioentified (31,8 %), followed by Staphylococcus aureus,Peptococcus spp. e Bacillus spp. All bacteria were susceptible to teicoplanin and vancomycin. The two drugs showed acomparable activity against staphylococci and bacilli, while teicoplanin was more potent against streptococci and anaerobes.In conclusion, teicoplanin showed a spectrum of activity similar or even better that of vancomycin against the most commonethiological agents of postoperative endophthalmitis.