Objective To evaluate the rapid diagnosis of bacterial and (or) fungal endophthalmitis by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR). Methods MPCR was performed to detect the DNA segment of bacteria and (or) fungi from standard strains and 41 samples of intraocular fluid or vitreous from 38 patients (3 with double eyes and 35 with single), and the results were compared with the cultured bacteria and fungi. Results Five hours after detected by MPCR, bacteria and (or) fungi in 34 out of 41 samples (82.9%) from patients were detected，in cluding bacteria in 26，fungi in 6，and both bacteria and fungi in 2. The positive rate of MPCR was obviously higher than the cultured ones（χ2＝9.60, P＜0.05）. Conclusion With the advantages of rapidity, sensibility, and specificity, MPCR can make for the rapid and definitive diagnosis of bacterial and (or) fungal endophthalmitis. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：81-83)