Bordetella avium-associated endophthalmitis: case report

BACKGROUND: Bordetella avium, an aerobic bacterium that rarely causes infection in humans, is a species of Bordetella that generally inhabits the respiratory tracts of turkeys and other birds. It causes a highly contagious bordetellosis. Few reports describe B. avium as a causative agent of eye-related infections. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of acute infectious endophthalmitis associated with infection by B. avium after open trauma. After emergency vitrectomy and subsequent broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, the infection was controlled successfully, and the patient’s vision improved. CONCLUSIONS: B. avium can cause infection in the human eye, which can manifest as acute purulent endophthalmitis. Nanopore targeted sequencing technology can quickly identify this organism. Emergency vitrectomy combined with lens removal and silicone oil tamponade and the early application of broad-spectrum antibiotics are key for successful treatment.