Chronic keratitis caused by Mycobacterium gordonae

Am J Ophthalmol. 1986 Oct 15;102(4):516-21. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(86)90083-8.

Abstract

We treated a patient with chronic keratitis caused by Mycobacterium gordonae, a slow-growing, atypical mycobacterium not previously reported as a cause of corneal infection. The patient was a 34-year-old man who was hit in the eye with some vegetable matter while gardening. Initially, the patient was treated for a presumptive diagnosis of herpes simplex keratitis. Because of progression of the keratitis, a lamellar corneal biopsy was performed 3 1/2 years later and the definitive diagnosis was made. Subsequently, a penetrating keratoplasty was performed and the patient's condition then remained stable. The diagnosis of atypical mycobacterium should be considered in a patient with an indolent corneal ulcer. Lamellar corneal biopsy may disclose the pathogen when the infection is deep, chronic, or partially treated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / diagnosis
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Keratitis / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium Infections / pathology*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnosis
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / pathology*
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification