Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
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2013 OMIG Abstract 5

Torque Teno Virus Associated with Culture Negative Endophthalmitis
Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD¹, Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MS², Lakshmi Akileswaran, PhD¹,
Michael D. Tibbetts, MD³, Sunir J. Garg, MD^3
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA;
²Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO;
³Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson Medical School, Philadelphia PA

Purpose: To use deep DNA sequencing techniques to identify potential pathogens in culture-negative endopthalmitis.

Methods: Vitreous was collected from 21 consecutive endophthalmitis cases (14 culture-positive and 7 culture-negative) and 7 routine, uninfected vitrectomies. Samples were analyzed by traditional culture, quantitative 16S PCR with sequencing of products, and Biome Representational in Silico Karyotyping (BRiSK), a representational deep DNA sequencing technique.

Results:  None of the control vitreous samples were positive for bacteria by any test. 16S PCR and/or BRiSK recapitulated culture results in the majority of cases. Bacterial loads by qPCR in culture-positive cases were between 10⁴ and 10⁷ genomes/ml. None of the 7 culture-negative samples showed high levels of bacteria by 16S qPCR (all below 10⁴ genomes/ml), and only one showed bacterial DNA with BRiSK. BRiSK tags corresponding to Torque Teno virus were identified in the majority of culture-negative samples as well as two culture-positive samples. qPCR for Torque Teno revealed no viral DNA in any control vitreous sample, but positive results for high level Torque Teno virus in 5/7 culture-negative and 2/14 culture-positive samples.

Conclusions:  There is high degree of agreement between standard culture, 16S qPCR, and BRiSK, particularly for culture-positive endophthalmitis cases. Torque Teno virus has been previously implicated in seasonal hyperacute panuveitis syndrome (SHAPU). The finding of this virus at high levels in culture-negative endophthalmitis raises the possibility that it may contribute to pathogenesis.

Grant funding:  Supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Translational Scientist Award (RVG), NIH R01EY022038-01, CORE grant P30EY001730

2013 Agenda and Abstracts | < Previous | Next >