Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(7): 545-550 545 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.907.060 Spectrum of Aetiological Agents of Endophthalmitis and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Bacterial Isolates Sukhjinder Singh, Loveena Oberoi*, Karamjit Singh, Sapna Soneja and Anuradha Malhotra Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Baba Farld University of Health Sciences, Punjab, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Eye is a complex and sensitive organ and is therefore more vulnerable to trauma and various infections(1). Infectious endophthalmitis is a threatening and potentially devastating intra-ocular infection caused by an array of organisms(2). This clinical entity without early and timely intervention and appropriate therapy leads to rapid loss of vision and blindness. Despite various research and the best therapeutic efforts, even today the prognosis remains extremely variable. As endophthalmitis is not a single entity, but a heterogeneous group of infections with diverse aetiological agents, it is of foremost importance to establish a rapid, accurate diagnosis. Inability to diagnose and treat endophthalmitis promptly amounts to neglect of the standard of care and this is grievous(3). Endophthalmitis is an inflammatory process that involves the ocular cavity and adjacent International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 7 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Eye is a complex and sensitive organ and is therefore more vulnerable to trauma and various infections. Indian population is vulnerable to infections of eye by virtue of subtropical climate, trauma and iatrogenic procedures. Infectious endophthalmitis is a threatening and potentially devastating intra‑ ocular infection caused by an array of organisms. Exogenous endophthalmitis is an infective complication of primary cataract, intraocular surgery and ocular trauma due to the introduction of infectious pathogens like bacteria and fungi, whereas the endogenous one is commonly due to systemic dissemination of the pathogens. To isolate and identify bacteria and fungi from various ocular specimens and to study antimicrobial resistance pattern of aerobic bacterial pathogens isolated. The present prospective study was carried out from July 2018 to August 2019 in the Department of Microbiology of Government Medical College, Amritsar. Vitreous humor samples received from the Department of Ophthalmology of Government Medical College, Amritsar were processed and bacterial and fungal isolates were identified using standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates was performed as per the latest CLSI guidelines. Out of the 54 vitrous humor specimens processed 25(43.1%) were positive on culture. Amongst bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis (36.8%) was the most predominant isolate, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.3%). Highest resistance was observed to fluoroquinolones followed by cephalosporins. No isolates showed resistance to Vancomycin or Imipenem. Amongst the fungi Aspergillus flavus (62.5%) was the most common isolate followed by Candida albicans (25%) cases. Mixed bacterial and fungal growth was obtained from 2 specimens. Our study highlights the importance of various etiological agents causig endophthalmitis with their antimicrobial resistance patterns. High prevalence of bacterial infections necessitates religious adherence to the standardised protocols can prevent and provide better treatment for this dreaded intraocular complication. Keywords Infections of eye, subtropical climate, vitreous humor Accepted: 05 June 2020 Available Online: 10 July 2020 Article Info