Chronic dacryocystitis caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinical presentation of Mycobacterium fortuitum dacryocystitis, an unusual microbial cause of this disease.


METHODS
The authors present a detailed description of a case of M. fortuitum chronic dacryocystitis and a review of the literature.


RESULTS
Although M. fortuitum is a well-recognized cause of chronic keratitis and corneal ulcer, it has only been reported once previously as a cause of dacryocystitis. Multiple factors that alter the ocular environment of the host may predispose to infection with this organism. The diagnosis requires isolation of the organism in the appropriate clinical setting. The authors' case represents the first patient successfully treated with dacryocystectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
M. fortuitum is a rare cause of chronic dacryocystitis that may respond favorably to surgical therapy alone.
Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001.
A W
AW
Artenstein
A S
AS
Eiseman
G C
GC
Campbell
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000382:microbiology; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification