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Infectious keratitis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and yeast simultaneously

Jun-Heon Kim1, Hyoung Ho Shin, Jong-Suk Song

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Cornea
|December 19, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Coinfection of the human cornea by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and yeast can occur. This rare condition may resist standard medical treatment, necessitating advanced interventions like keratoplasty.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Medical Microbiology

Background:

  • Corneal ulcers can be caused by various pathogens.
  • Fungal and bacterial coinfections present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Observation:

  • A 59-year-old woman developed a corneal ulcer that worsened despite empirical antibiotic therapy.
  • Culture identified Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and pathology revealed yeast forms and pseudohyphae.

Findings:

  • The coinfection progressed rapidly, proving resistant to sensitivity-guided antibiotic treatment.
  • Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was required to manage the severe keratitis.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and yeast coinfection in the human cornea.
  • Such coinfections may not respond to conventional medical management, underscoring the need for prompt diagnosis and potentially surgical intervention.

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