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Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Published on: February 6, 2021
Isolated Nocardia exalbida endogenous endophthalmitis
Tatyana Milman1, Valerie Trubnik, Mahendra Shah
1The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York City, New York 10003, USA. tmilman@nyee.edu
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|July 21, 2011
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Nocardia exalbida in an immunocompetent individual. The findings highlight the potential for this bacterium to cause isolated intraocular infections, even without systemic signs of compromise.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Endogenous endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection.
- Nocardia species typically cause infection in immunocompromised individuals.
- Nocardia exalbida has not been previously associated with endophthalmitis.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old immunocompetent male presented with rapid vision loss.
- Clinical presentation included a posterior choroidal mass and serous retinal detachment.
- Pathologic examination of the enucleated eye confirmed endogenous endophthalmitis.
Findings:
- Microbiologic evaluation identified Nocardia exalbida as the causative agent.
- Systemic workup did not reveal disseminated infection or immunocompromise.
- Literature review found no prior reports of Nocardia exalbida endophthalmitis.
Implications:
- Nocardia can rarely cause isolated endogenous endophthalmitis in immunocompetent patients.
- This presentation can lead to diagnostic delays and vision loss.
- Highlights the importance of considering Nocardia in endogenous endophthalmitis, irrespective of immune status.
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