Necrotizing keratitis caused by Capnocytophaga ochracea

Abstract

We studied three cases of Capnocytophaga keratitis that demonstrated stromal necrosis and a ring infiltrate. In all cases, the keratitis occurred in a previously diseased or traumatized cornea. One patient was treated with chronic antiamoebic therapy for presumed Acanthamoeba keratitis. Two cases resulted in corneal perforation. Laboratory isolation was difficult because of slow, fastidious growth. Capnocytophaga is not uniformly sensitive to commonly used topical antibiotics such as the cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, but may respond to treatment with topical clindamycin.