English

Abstract

BOTRYOMYCOSIS; also known as bacterial pseudomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous bacterial infection that affects the skin, and sometimes the viscera. Here we report a rare case of orbital botryomycosis in a patient who presented with painful nodular lesion in right eye following repair of tissue for Road Traffic Accident(RTA). MRI revealed foreign body granuloma or pseudotumour subsequent histopathology proved botryomycosis and she was treated with antibiotics and surgery . INTRODUCTION: Botryomycosis; also known as bacterial pseudomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous bacterial infection that affects the skin, and sometimes the viscera.(1) Botryomycosis is an uncommon chronic bacterial infection that generally presents as cutaneous lesion or rarely with visceral involvement. It was first considered a fungal infection, thus the term botryomycosis (from Greek, botrys – bunch of grapes, mycosis – fungal origin). Later, the bacterial etiology was discovered and other terms were reported, including actinophytosis, staphylococcal actinophytosis, bacterial pseudomycosis and granular bacteriosis (2,3). Many species of bacteria have been implicated most commonly staphylococcus aureus, but also pseudomonas aeruginosa, E coli & streptococcus species. (5) Winslow summarized the literature and subcategorized botryomycosis into integumental and visceral forms.(4)The integumental form is more common and is characterized by localized granulomatous skin infections often associated with trauma, foreign body and wound contamination. It usually involves the exposed parts. Visceral effects liver, lung, kidney, prostate, caecum, brain, lymph tissue. Surgery, abrasions and lacerations in road accidents, piercing of pinna are documented etiological factors that may lead to the development of botryomycosis. Chronic cutaneous irritation and lichenified lesions of the scalp often predispose to botryomycosis. Diabetes, alcoholism, poor hygiene, cystic fibrosis and general debility are the known predisposing factors. Botryomycosis is also reported in children. In most cases infection remains localized,