Nocardia Asteroides Ulcerative Keratitis in Siriraj Hospital

Pinnita Prabhasawat M.D.*
Kanokrat Pompanich M.D.*
Ohaivadee Dulayajinda M.D.*
Angkana Chiprasert M.D.**
* Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital
** Department of Microbiology Mahidol University


ABSTRACT A 10 year retrospective study of Nocardia asteroides corneal ulcer in patients at Siriraj Hospital was analysed. The purpose was to determine the predisposing factors clinical presentation and appropriate therapy.

The result revealed that all 4 patients were men and non immuno-compromised hosts with mean ages 26.7 + - 13.8 years (+ - S.D.) 75 % of cases had resulted from comeal trauma the majority by twigs. All patients had received previous treatment and also had been treated by corticosteroid. The diseases were slow progressive and could be diagnosed by positive cultures.

The treatments were successful with topical sulfacetamide, Co-trimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, amikacin and ceftriaxone. Twenty one other cases of nocardial asteroides keratitis that have been described in the world literatures were also analysed.