Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Iris Fixation via External Pentagram Suturing
05:22

Iris Fixation via External Pentagram Suturing

Published on: May 5, 2022

Dolosigranulum pigrum keratitis: a three-case series

Magali Sampo1, Oaufeh Ghazouani, Dominique Cadiou

  • 1Bacteriology department, Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille and Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UMR CNRS, Faculté de médecine, Marseille, France.

BMC Ophthalmology
|July 12, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Dolosigranulum pigrum, a common upper respiratory bacterium, caused corneal infections (keratitis) in three elderly patients. This study confirms D. pigrum as a cause of keratitis, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Dolosigranulum pigrum, a commensal of the upper respiratory tract, is rarely implicated in ocular infections.
  • No well-documented cases of D. pigrum keratitis have been previously reported.

Observation:

  • Three elderly patients presented with unilateral keratitis.
  • Risk factors included prior cataract surgery and rheumatoid arthritis with sicca syndrome; none were contact lens wearers.
  • Corneal scraping cultures and PCR-sequencing confirmed D. pigrum in all three cases.

Findings:

  • D. pigrum was identified as the causative agent of keratitis in all three patients.
  • In vitro susceptibility testing showed sensitivity to penicillin G, amoxicillin, doxycycline, rifampicin, and gentamicin.
  • Despite intensive antimicrobial and surgical interventions, two patients experienced corneal perforation, with one requiring enucleation.

Implications:

  • This study establishes D. pigrum as a pathogen capable of causing severe keratitis.
  • Effective antibiotic treatment is crucial, but surgical management may be necessary for corneal thinning and perforation.
  • Highlights the importance of considering less common pathogens in microbial keratitis, especially in immunocompromised or elderly individuals.

More Related Videos

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea06:10

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Published on: December 8, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...