Two Cases of Polymicrobial Keratitis Involving Distinct and Unusual Anaerobes

Corneal infection is a leading cause of blindness globally. Prompt identification of the causative microbe and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial agents is essential for preserving vision. However, diagnosis can be hampered by lengthy microbiological culture and the failure of empiric antibiotic treatment to target rare, aggressive microbes. This case series describes two patients with keratitis, one involving infection with the anaerobic bacteria Eikenella corrodens and the other involving Capnocytophaga species. In both cases, the anaerobes were isolated as a part of polymicrobial infections and required antibiotic treatment tailored to their susceptibility profiles. Despite this effort, both infections resulted in permanent vision loss.