Subretinal abscess due to Nocardia farcinica infection.
OBJECTIVE
Nocardia infection of the eye is uncommon. A case of choroidal abscess due to Nocardia farcinica infection is presented, and the literature is reviewed.


METHODS
A 41-year-old immunocompromised man with chronic myeloid leukemia developed a unilateral choroidal abscess. N. farcinica was isolated from a simultaneous subcutaneous abscess and both infections responded to systemic sulfonamide therapy.


RESULTS
Three weeks after discontinuation of the sulfonamides, the choroidal abscess recurred with involvement of the vitreous. The infection was brought under control after reinstitution of the same drug.


CONCLUSIONS
Nocardiosis is a multisystem disease that has high mortality and ocular morbidity rates. The eyes of immunocompromised patients should be examined frequently as early detection and administration of the proper antibiotics may reduce the risk of this life-threatening infection.
Lakosha
H
H
Ocular Oncology, Service, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Pavlin
C J
CJ
Lipton
J
J
D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009615:Nocardia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination