Polymerase chain reaction identification in aqueous humor of patients with postoperative endophthalmitis

Polymerase chain reaction assay of initial aqueous humor samples contributed to the diagnosis of endophthalmitis in 30% of cases. Previous use of intravitreal antibiotics did not seem to affect the ability to PCR-amplify DNA in the short term. Polymerase chain reaction-based technology was a useful adjunct to conventional culture because when used with aqueous humor samples only, the association of both techniques allowed for a microbiological diagnosis in 71% of cases of postoperative acute and delayed-onset endophthalmitis.