Abstract
To report a case of an iris abscess and necrotizing sclerokeratitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus and presenting as hemorrhagic uveitis. An 86-year-old white woman was diagnosed with hemorrhagic anterior uveitis and treated with high-frequency topical steroids. The inflammation progressed to involve the cornea and the sclera, and the treatment was changed to intensive antibiotics. There was no improvement. Direct microscopy of a biopsy specimen of the lesion wrongly identified Nocardia as the cause, but antibiotic sensitivity suggested clarithromycin as a suitable therapeutic agent. Therapy was changed but there was continued deterioration. The eye could not be saved and the causative organism was subsequently discovered to be M. abscessus. The eye was enucleated 6 months after initial presentation. Ocular infection with M. abscessus is an extremely rare cause of necrotizing sclerokeratitis and may present as a hemorrhagic uveitis. There is a high risk of misdiagnosis and late detection, which may have severe consequences.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.