Mycobacterium chelonae canaliculitis associated with SmartPlug use.
Mycobacterium chelonae is ubiquitous in the environment but is an uncommon cause of ocular and periocular infections. It is a pathogen that has been gaining increased attention in the ophthalmic literature because of the relatively large number of infections associated with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis and other forms of refractive surgery. The authors present 3 patients who developed canaliculitis culture positive for M. chelonae more than a year after SmartPlug placement. These cases highlight some of the clinical scenarios that may be encountered in those who present with canaliculitis with a history of intracanalicular plug placement. Therapeutic considerations are also suggested.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7040, U.S.A. afowler@med.unc.edu
Amy M
AM
Fowler
Jonathan J
JJ
Dutton
W Craig
WC
Fowler
Peter
P
Gilligan
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000628:therapy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015607:Stents
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents