Infectious keratitis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and yeast simultaneously

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of coinfection of the human cornea by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and yeast.

Methods: A 59-year-old woman presented with a corneal ulcer. The corneal lesion worsened suddenly after initial improvement with empirical antibiotic treatment. A culture revealed S. maltophilia. The keratitis rapidly progressed despite treatment with sensitivity-proven antibiotic agents. Eventually, the patient underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.

Results: Pathology of the cornea showed yeast forms and pseudohyphae scattered over the cornea. After surgery, the inflammation was controlled without any signs of recurrent infection.

Conclusion: Coinfection of the cornea by S. maltophilia and yeast may occur in a susceptible cornea and may not be controlled by standard medical treatment.