Fulminant Endogenous Anterior Uveitis due to Listeria monocytogenes

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of fulminant anterior uveitis, confirmed as endogenous Listeria monocytogenes infection. SUBJECT: A 67-year-old man with multiple comorbidities acutely developed a severe endogenous anterior uveitis. RESULTS: L. monocytogenes, a ubiquitous Gram-positive bacillus, was directly indicated by culture and PCR. Early and aggressive treatment with intravenous antibiotics likely prevented the endophthalmitis which most cases on record experienced. Our patient regained satisfactory visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt antimicrobial therapy is paramount when severe endogenous uveitis develops in a patient with comorbidities, especially with systemic immunosuppression. Treatment solely with corticosteroids should be avoided.