Biomaterial Database

Nocardia brasiliensis keratitis successfully treated with therapeutic lamellar keratectomy. 1996

S H Tseng, and J J Chen, and F R Hu

Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, R.O.C.

A 36-year-old man sustained an indolent keratitis following a minor corneal trauma. Nocardia brasiliensis was isolated from cultures of the corneal scrapings. Fortified topical antibiotics, based on in vitro drug sensitivity testing, were intensively applied for weeks without clinical improvement. The patient underwent therapeutic lamellar keratectomy, which led to a rapid and complete resolution. The site of the keratectomy reepithelialized within 2 days and became a faint subepithelial haze thereafter. The visual acuity improved to 20/20 and there was no evidence of recurrence during the subsequent follow-up. It appears that lamellar keratectomy is a valuable treatment alternative for localized chronic nocardial keratitis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007634	Keratitis	Inflammation of the cornea.	Keratitides
D008297	Male		Males
D009615	Nocardia	A genus of gram-positive, aerobic bacteria whose species are widely distributed and are abundant in soil. Some strains are pathogenic opportunists for humans and animals.	Micropolyspora
D009617	Nocardia Infections	Infections with bacteria of the genus NOCARDIA.	Cerebral Nocardiosis,Infections, Nocardia,Nocardia asteroides Infection,Nocardiosis,Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis,Pulmonary Nocardiosis,Cerebral Nocardioses,Cutaneous Nocardioses, Primary,Cutaneous Nocardiosis, Primary,Infection, Nocardia,Infection, Nocardia asteroides,Infections, Nocardia asteroides,Nocardia Infection,Nocardia asteroides Infections,Nocardioses,Nocardioses, Cerebral,Nocardioses, Primary Cutaneous,Nocardioses, Pulmonary,Nocardiosis, Cerebral,Nocardiosis, Primary Cutaneous,Nocardiosis, Pulmonary,Primary Cutaneous Nocardioses,Pulmonary Nocardioses
D003315	Cornea	The transparent anterior portion of the fibrous coat of the eye consisting of five layers: stratified squamous CORNEAL EPITHELIUM; BOWMAN MEMBRANE; CORNEAL STROMA; DESCEMET MEMBRANE; and mesenchymal CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM. It serves as the first refracting medium of the eye. It is structurally continuous with the SCLERA, avascular, receiving its nourishment by permeation through spaces between the lamellae, and is innervated by the ophthalmic division of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE via the ciliary nerves and those of the surrounding conjunctiva which together form plexuses. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)	Corneas
D005500	Follow-Up Studies	Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease.	Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000900	Anti-Bacterial Agents	Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA.	Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D014792	Visual Acuity	Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast.	Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities