Exogenous Nocardia asteroides endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.
We present a case of Nocardia asteroides endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. It is the second to be reported and the first in which vision has been preserved. Symptoms commenced 5 days after surgery and there followed a chronic relapsing anterior uveitis which lasted for 4 months. Nocardia asteroides was finally cultured from an aqueous aspirate and a combination of specific antimicrobial treatment and surgery resulted in a satisfactory visual outcome. Exogenous nocardial intraocular infection is rare and must be distinguished from fungal infection as the organism is resistant to antifungal agents.
Department of Ophthalmology, King's College Hospital, London, U.K.
P L
PL
Atkinson
H
H
Jackson
J
J
Philpott-Howard
B C
BC
Patel
W
W
Aclimandos
D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012086:Reoperation