Donor-to-host transmission of streptococcal infection by corneas stored in McCarey-Kaufman medium

Two patients developed streptococcal endophthalmitis following penetrating keratoplasty. These cases may represent the third and fourth cases of donor-to-host transmission of streptococcal infection by corneas stored in McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) medium. Streptococcal agents now account for 50-59% of the total number of reported cases of M-K medium contamination by donor tissue with resultant infection in the host. Gentamicin sulfate, the sole antibiotic used in the M-K medium in all cases, has poor activity against most streptococci. The addition of a second antibiotic to the M-K medium to provide an improved spectrum of antimicrobial activity should be considered.