Orbital cellulitis caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum

Am J Ophthalmol. 2001 Feb;131(2):280-1. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(00)00777-7.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the case of a previously healthy young female who developed orbital cellulitis caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. We are unaware of previous reports of this condition caused by the same anaerobic, gram-negative, nonsporeforming bacterium and could find no reference to it in a computer search using MEDLINE.

Methods: Case report.

Results: In the case of orbital cellulitis presented here, the patient required 3 sinus debridement operations and 30 days of intravenous antibiotics. Despite this, her vision did not fully recover.

Conclusion: F. necrophorum is capable of causing severe orbital disease that requires aggressive and prompt treatment to preserve sight.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cellulitis / diagnosis
  • Cellulitis / microbiology*
  • Cellulitis / therapy
  • Debridement
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / microbiology
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / therapy
  • Female
  • Fusobacterium Infections* / diagnosis
  • Fusobacterium Infections* / microbiology
  • Fusobacterium Infections* / therapy
  • Fusobacterium necrophorum / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Orbital Diseases / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases / microbiology*
  • Orbital Diseases / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents