Fungal, Mycobacterial, and Nocardia infections and the eye: an update

Abstract

Although relatively uncommon, fungi, atypical Mycobacteria, and Nocardia have been isolated from a variety of infections of eye including keratitis, scleritis, canaliculitis, dacryocystitis, endophthalmitis and orbital cellulites. The organisms typically cause a slowly progressive disease. The diseases caused by the organisms can pose both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In this manuscript we will describe updates on important aspects of the ocular infections caused by these organisms.

Figure 1

Fungal infections of eye. (a) Shows fungal keratitis with dry gray to dirty white infiltrate and raised edges. (b) Shows keratitis with pigmented infiltrate. (c) Shows pigmented fungal growth on the surface of scleral buckle in a case of fungal scleritis. (d) Shows ulcerated scleritis lesion.

Figure 2

Non-tubercular mycobacteria keratitis after accidental trauma (a) and laser in-situ keratomileusis (b).

Figure 3

Nocardia infections of eye. (a) Shows nocardia keratitis with characteristic wreath-like lesion. (b) Shows a case of advanced keratitis with dry-looking infiltrate mimicking fungal infection. (c) Shows nocardia keratitis with suppurative lesion. (d) Shows suppurative nodular scleritis.