Ocular infections caused by Providencia rettgeri.
OBJECTIVE
To report a series of patients with ocular infections caused by the rarely described gram-negative bacterium, Providencia rettgeri.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Five patients with ocular infections who grew P. rettgeri after culture (2 keratitis, 1 dacryocystitis, 1 conjunctivitis, 1 conjunctivitis/endophthalmitis).


METHODS
Microbiology culture results positive for P. rettgeri were cross-referenced to identify the patients with ocular infections. Medical records of these patients were carefully reviewed.


METHODS
Descriptive analysis of each patient's history, potential risk factors, and clinical outcome.


RESULTS
Five eyes in 2 institutions were found to be culture positive for the gram-negative bacterium P. rettgeri. The organism may cause keratitis, dacryocystitis, conjunctivitis, and endophthalmitis. Possible risk factors include a compromised ocular surface and coexisting medical morbidity, including urinary tract infections, recent hospitalizations, and an immunocompromised state. Culture and sensitivity profiles should guide treatment; resistant strains are being identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Infections caused by P. rettgeri, although rare, are responsible for ocular morbidity. This report describes patient attributes, risk factors, and outcomes that will be helpful to ophthalmologists treating ocular infections. P. rettgeri should be acknowledged as a source of ocular infection.
Koreishi
Aaleya F
AF
Cornea and External Disease, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Schechter
Barry A
BA
Karp
Carol L
CL
D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000382:microbiology; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000382:microbiology; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology; D011532:Providencia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies