Endogenous Nocardia asteroides endophthalmitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

We report a case of endogenous Nocardia endophthalmitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). He developed a parafoveal lesion in the right fundus while on systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic treatment. Initially we suspected a fungal origin and treated him with antifungal drugs. The intraocular disease progressed without improvement and advanced to the vitreous cavity. Nocardia asteroides was found in a specimen obtained at pars plana vitrectomy and was also cultured from the same specimen. The intraocular infection was controlled by antibacterial drugs, though the visual acuity of the right eye was reduced to only light perception owing to heavy vitreous opacity and secondary cataract. This case is the first report of endogenous Nocardia endophthalmitis in Japan and also the first case of this disease reported from outside the United States of America.