Experimental Klebsiella-induced endophthalmitis in the rabbit
R. H. Meyers-Elliott and B. A. Dethlefs
Klebsiella organisms have been reported in postoperative endophthalmitis.
We describe an experimental model of endophthalmitis with anterior segment
inflammation over the injection of Klebsiella oxytoca into the rabbit
vitreous. Within 24 hours, polymorphonuclear leukocytes were found at the
corneal limbus, adjacent to the endothelium, in the iris and ciliary body,
throughout the vitreous, and in the optic nerve. Retinal photoreceptor
degeneration was widespread within 48 hours. Mononuclear cells appeared in
the vitreous within 72 hours. Increased pathologic manifestations
concomitant with decreased numbers of recoverable, viable organisms
implicate the endotoxins of K oxytoca in the observed pathologic condition.
Our model may be useful in further studies on antibiotic therapy in
Klebsiella ocular infections and in continuing work on the cross-reaction
between Klebsiella and HLA-B27.
