Intracameral Bacteriophage Injection as Postoperative Prophylaxis for Enterococcus faecalis-Induced Endophthalmitis After Cataract Surgery in Rabbits

Purpose: Post-cataract surgery bacterial endophthalmitis is a serious postoperative complication, and Enterococcus spp.-induced endophthalmitis reportedly has a partic-ularly poor visual prognosis. This study aimed to demonstrate the prophylactic effect of postoperative intracameral phage administration in Enterococcus faecalis-induced endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in rabbits. Methods: Endophthalmitis was induced in rabbits by injecting E. faecalis into the anterior chamber just after lensectomy while simultaneously administering either phage phiEF24C-P2 or vehicle. Retinal function was evaluated using electroretinogra-phy. The number of viable bacteria and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the eye and histopathologic examinations were analyzed 48 hours after infection. Results: In the vehicle-treated group, retinal function at 24 hours after infection was impaired, and the number of viable bacteria and MPO activity in the eye increased 48 hours later. In the phage-administered group, retinal function was maintained; the number of viable bacteria and MPO activity were significantly suppressed. Histopatho-logic examinations showed disruption of the retinal layers and the presence of numer-ous E. faecalis in the lens capsule and vitreous cavity in vehicle-treated eyes. In contrast, retinal structures were intact, and no E. faecalis staining was observed in phage-treated eyes. No retinal dysfunction was observed in the group that received phage only without lensectomy; almost no phage was detected in the eyes after 14 days of treatment. Conclusions: Phage administration in the anterior chamber did not cause retinal dysfunction and suppressed postoperative endophthalmitis in rabbits. Translational Relevance: In vivo results of intracameral phage administration suggest that phages are a promising prophylactic candidate for postoperative endophthalmitis.