title: Rapid diagnosis of Mycobacterium abscessus endophthalmitis.
abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria are widely distributed in the environment and have the potential to cause a wide spectrum of infections including pulmonary, bone, soft tissue or ocular infections. They are a rare cause of endophthalmitis, a potentially devastating condition, which may be acquired through contamination of water or antiseptic solutions. Diagnosis is often delayed due to low clinical suspicion, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Newer laboratory techniques such as real-time PCR can be used for rapid detection, identification and speciation of mycobacteria and allow for initiation of focused antibiotic therapy. We describe a case of Mycobacterium abscessus endophthalmitis that developed 30 years after traumatic loss of cornea in a patient with diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Rolfe
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Esoteric Testing Laboratory, Tampa General Hospital, 1 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Widen
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents