Abstract
Purpose
Nocardia keratitis is a rare type of infectious keratitis and may mimic other corneal diseases and lead to delay in diagnosis. This case illustrates how Nocardia often escapes accurate diagnosis due to its insidious onset, variable clinical manifestations, and unusual characteristics on cultures.
Observation
The patient presented with an epithelial defect and superior pannus and scarring, which was misdiagnosed as superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis. Repeat corneal scraping cultures, smears, and conjunctival biopsy were necessary to elucidate the diagnosis. It can be effectively treated with the intravenous preparation of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 80 mg/mL (brand name SEPTRA) used topically as eye drops.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of Nocardia keratitis relies on a high clinical suspicion and a prompt corneal scraping with culture. Due to its potential for rapid resolution with early therapy, it is important to isolate Nocardia early in its disease course.
Importance
Topical amikacin had been the standard of care for Nocardia keratitis for many years. However, recently there is increasing resistance of Nocardia to amikacin. SEPTRA offers an alternative therapy. Nocardia keratitis mimics other infectious and inflammatory etiologies so rapid diagnosis and treatment is critical in the prevention of long-term complications.
1
Introduction
Nocardia are a group of aerobic, gram-positive, and catalase-positive bacteria in the shape of long, thin, and branching filaments that stain weakly acid-fast on Ziehl-Neelsen 1. Nocardia asteroides is the most commonly reported species to cause Nocardia keratitis. It is classically described with an appearance of stromal infiltrates in a wreath-like pattern and may be associated with tiny epithelial calcifications often near the limbus adjacent to pannus-like areas of increased vascularity. , Culture on blood agar may occasionally lead to a consideration of contamination due to the tendency for prominent areas of calcification on the agar. Nocardia keratitis is seen more frequently in young males, especially those who live in rural areas. , As Nocardia is the most common bacteria found in soil, corneal trauma and contact with soil predispose those in rural areas to infection. Other risk factors for Nocardia keratitis include contact lens wear, ophthalmic surgery, and topical corticosteroids.
This unique case of Nocardia keratitis focuses attention on the variability of presentation and the possibility of a prolonged clinical course over months. The multiple misdiagnoses suffered by this patient highlight how this pathogen is elusive and often discovered late in the clinical course leading to permanent ocular sequelae.
2
Case presentation
A 41-year-old male contact lens user without history of corneal trauma or soil contact presented with a three-week history of pruritus, photophobia, and excessive tearing of the right eye. He was initially found to have a corneal abrasion and started on topical tobramycin 0.3% QID, which aggravated his symptoms. The patient was then referred to an ophthalmologist who added loteprednol 0.5% daily. The patient failed to respond to this therapy and was sent to a corneal specialist. On initial presentation, the patient’s best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the right eye was 20/20–3. Anterior segment exam was significant for bilateral blepharitis, right floppy eyelid, right trace perilimbal injection, 2+ superior palpebral conjunctival injection, and a new right corneal scar with irregular epithelium lacking definitive boundaries superiorly at 12 o’clock. Given the pattern of injection, recurrent discomfort, and subjective complaint of itchiness, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) was considered. The corneal specialist trialed a course of ofloxacin 0.3% and then increased loteprednol 0.5% to BID dosing.
On two-week follow-up, the patient displayed symptomatic improvement. However, the clinical exam demonstrated new dendritiform lesions developing at the peripheral edge of the corneal scar. Treatment for presumed herpes simplex keratitis (HSV) was initiated with a course of oral valacyclovir TID and topical ganciclovir 0.15% QID. Additionally, the patient was sent for corneal cultures to rule out fungal keratitis. Follow-up results were negative for fungi.
The patient returned in one month with worsening symptoms. At this time, his corneal scar displayed anterior stromal scarring with new overlying neovascularization and an advancing edge of irregular epithelium ( Fig. 1 ). Keratic precipitates and anterior chamber inflammation were absent. At this point, the diagnosis of HSV interstitial keratitis was considered. The topical medications were switched from loteprednol to difluprednate 0.05% QID; the patient was restarted on valacyclovir TID.
After returning from vacation overseas, the patient followed up with the corneal specialist with minimal improvement. Given the failure to respond to herpetic treatment, a superior conjunctival resection for presumed SLK and corneal scrapings were taken from the right eye where the cornea was abnormal. A ProKera Slim™ amniotic membrane was placed over the defect and prophylactic ophthalmic antibiotics were started. The patient was maintained on oral valacyclovir TID, topical difluprednate 0.05% BID, and topical ofloxacin 0.3% as antibiotic prophylaxis for a few days. Corneal scrapings did not reveal findings suggestive of SLK or microbial keratitis when evaluated.
One week later, the patient reported dramatically decreased vision with severe photophobia and difficulty opening the right eye. Visual acuity was 20/400 with the ProKera Slim™. At this point, the corneal scraping was 95% healed so the ProKera Slim™ was removed. No further stromal infiltrates were noted. All medications were discontinued except bacitracin-polymyxin B. On subsequent follow-up one week later, the patient was referred to another corneal specialist for consultation. At this visit, a repeat corneal Gram stain and a Papinicolau stain were positive for filamentous rods and Nocardia was suspected ( Fig. 2 ). Therapy was initiated with trimethroprim-sulfamethaxazole (SEPTRA) 80 mg/mL in the right eye every 2 hours. One week later, cultural identification was confirmed for Nocardia asteroides and sensitivities showed resistance to amikacin. After three months of unabated progression of his signs and symptoms, the patient showed clinical improvement in three days. However given the prolonged course, he required an additional month of therapy. The patient healed with a subepithelial scar and neovascularization. At this point, SEPTRA was discontinued. The final visual acuity of the right eye was 20/30. Interestingly, the conjunctival biopsy was revisited and showed no signs of Nocardia .
