Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole therapy in Nocardia keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical features, microbiological features and treatment outcome of nine patients with Nocardia keratitis treated with topical trimethoprim- sulphamethoxazole drops.


METHODS
Retrospective review of nine patients with culture-proven Nocardia keratitis.


RESULTS
Nine patients with Nocardia keratitis were treated with topical trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole drops. The average duration of treatment was 25 +/- 9 days. Five of the nine patients presented with superficial ulcers with margins studded with yellowish white discrete pinhead sized infiltration; the other four patients had deep stromal infiltration. Complete healing of the ulcer was achieved in six out of the nine patients with topical trimethoprim- sulphamethoxazole alone or in combination with ciprofloxacin 0.3% eye drops.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical application of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole appears to be effective therapy for superficial keratitis due to Nocardia.
Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirappalli, India. cmkala@eth.net
C Muniswamy
CM
Kalavathy
Pragya
P
Parmar
Kuthalingam
K
Ramalingam
Jayaraman
J
Kaliamurthy
C A Nelson
CA
Jesudasan
Philip A
PA
Thomas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination