MANAGEMENT OF MYCOBACTERIUM CHELONAE ENDOPHTHALMITIS WITH COMPLETE SURGICAL DEBRIDEMENT.

Abstract

To report the clinical course and histopathologic findings of two consecutive patients with resolution of Mycobacterium chelonae endophthalmitis and favorable visual outcomes after complete removal of intraocular implants and lens capsular complexes and prolonged sensitivity-guided combination antibiotic therapy. Medical records and histopathologic findings were reviewed for two consecutive patients with M. chelonae endophthalmitis. Two consecutive patients with M. chelonae endophthalmitis had prolonged clinical courses with refractory endophthalmitis before complete removal of intraocular implants and lens capsular complexes. One patient had histopathologic evidence of lens remnant-associated acid-fast bacilli. Surgical explantation of intraocular implants and lens capsular complexes appears to play an important role in the management of M. chelonae endophthalmitis, which may be closely associated with crystalline lens remnants.