A case of nocardia keratitis treated successfully with topical amikacin

Nepal J Ophthalmol. 2012 Jan-Jun;4(1):170-3. doi: 10.3126/nepjoph.v4i1.5870.

Abstract

Background: Keratitis caused by the nocardia species is rare in clinical practice and can cause confusion during treatment because it often mimics fungal keratitis.

Case: This is a case of nocardia keratitis occurring in a forty-year-old lady without any predisposing factors. It was initially treated as fungal keratitis, then as herpes simplex viral keratitis, but once the organism was known, it was successfully treated with topical fortified amikacin 14 mg/ml (1.4 %).

Conclusion: Delay in diagnosis can occur in nocardia keratitis due to its rarity in occurrence. It responds well if proper therapy is instituted on time.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amikacin / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cornea / microbiology*
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / diagnosis
  • Keratitis / drug therapy*
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Nocardia
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnosis
  • Nocardia Infections / drug therapy*
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Ophthalmic Solutions

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Amikacin