Endogenous Nocardial Endophthalmitis in an Immunosuppressed Patient: A Serious Warning of an Underlying Life Threatening and Blinding Disorder.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report a case of bilateral endogenous nocardial endophthalmitis with central nervous system involvement in an immunocompromised individual with an extremely poor outcome.

CASE REPORT:

A 35-year-old man with a history of long-term, prescribed oral steroid use for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis presented with profound bilateral vision loss. Patient's diagnosis of bilateral endogenous nocardial endophthalmitis was delayed. Nocardia was finally isolated from a brain biopsy after a repeat magnetic resonance imaging revealed a brain abscess. With anti-nocardia therapy, patient improved systemically, but the visual outcome was poor, with no light perception in both eyes.

CONCLUSION:

Ocular nocardiosis is a serious vision and life threatening disorder, particularly in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. A high index of suspicion is required for successful treatment.

• Authors: Hemant Trehan, Jaya Kaushik, Vaibhav Kumar Jain, Jitendra Kumar Singh Parihar, Abhijit Avasthi
• Journal: Journal of ophthalmic & vision research (J Ophthalmic Vis Res) 2017 Jan-Mar Vol. 12 Issue 1 Pg. 113-116 ISSN: 2008-2010 [Print] United Arab Emirates
• PMID: 28299015 (Publication Type: Case Reports)