Purpose: The Tm mapping method was developed to rapidly identify the pathogenic bacteria in cases of sepsis. This method enabled us to identify the numerically dominant bacteria in postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis within 3.5h, and we hereby report on these cases.
Methods: The subjects were four consecutive eyes (four patients) that were clinically diagnosed as postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis at Toyama University Hospital from August 2014 to December 2016. We tested the Tm mapping method using ocular fluid samples obtained during surgery. If the Tm mapping method identified a bacterial species with a difference value (DV) of ≤ 0.5, the results could be used to identify the bacterial species.
Results: Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified in case1 (DV=0.06), S. capitis was identified in case2 (DV=0.19), and S. caprae was identified in case3 (DV=0.28). Bacterial DNA was detected in case3, but there were no corresponding bacterial species in the database. In three of four cases, we were able to identify the numerically dominant bacteria within 3.5h.
Conclusions: We established a system that could identify the numerically dominant bacteria in bacterial endophthalmitis within 3.5h. Such rapid identification enabled early and appropriate selection of antibiotics. The introduction of this method could contribute to improving outcomes for bacterial endophthalmitis.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 122: 580-585, 2018.