Immunologic and clinical manifestations of infectious scleritis after pterygium excision.
OBJECTIVE
To present the immunologic status and clinical manifestations of patients who had infectious scleritis after pterygium excision.


METHODS
This prospective noncomparative study of immunologic status and clinical manifestations involved 18 eyes of 18 patients with infectious scleritis (16 bacterial and 2 fungal infections) with a history of pterygium excision from 1999 to 2001.


RESULTS
The period between pterygium excision and scleritis ranged from 1 to 36 years. None of the 18 patients had any history of systemic autoimmune disease. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found in 9 (50%) of 18 patients. Elevated serum C-reactive protein levels were found in 9 (75%) of 12 patients. Other serologic tests were all negative. The most common pathogen of infectious scleritis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was present in 13 patients (72.2%), significantly higher than any others (P < 0.05). All of the eyeballs were salvaged, and 9 (50%) of 18 patients had final vision better than 2/20.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no underlying autoimmune disease associated with infectious scleritis in this study. Early diagnosis and aggressive medical and surgical treatment might have saved the eyes.
Su
Chuan-Yi
CY
Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Koahsiung, Taiwan.
Tsai
Jih-Jin
JJ
Chang
Yo-Chen
YC
Lin
Chang-Ping
CP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery*; D015423:Scleritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein