<i>Endophthalmitis Caused by</i> Mycobacterium Abscessus

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and laboratory features of a case of endophthalmitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus in a patient immunocompetent. METHODS: case report. A 65-year-old woman with bilateral cataracts was treated by surgery with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation. RESULTS: The funduscopic examination showed vitreous cells over the optic nerve head, chorioretinal infiltrates, and focal vasculitis. Vitreous humor aspirate disclosed acid-fast bacilli. In the culture on Löwenstein-Jensen medium grew colonies identified as M. abscessus. CONCLUSIONS: M. abscessus is cause of endophthalmitis and crystalline keratopathy. Risk factor include surgical intervention or exogenous contamination. Our patient has no systemic pathology predisposing to the development of endophthalmitis.