A rare case of concomitant Klebsiella pneumonia and panophthalmitis in a poorly controlled diabetic patient: the first case report from Syria

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine metabolic disease. Uncontrolled diabetes affects almost all components of immunity. Diabetes mellitus patients have an increased susceptibility to infections which aggravates in the cases of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Case presentation: The authors present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with a history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. She went to the ambulance complaining of fever, poor appetite, dyspnea, cough, fatigue, and asthenia. The chest computed tomography showed the presence of bilateral ovoid infiltration densities, mostly on the upper-right side. The initial diagnosis was community-acquired pneumonia in an immunocompromised host due to poorly controlled diabetes. A swelling was observed in the right cheek and around the right eye, along with ptosis of the right eyelid. The ophthalmologist indicated the presence of panophthalmitis of the entire right eye with optic neuritis and right orbital cellulitis. The bacterial culture of bronchoalveolar lavage showed Gram-negative bacteria known as Klebsiella. After 17 days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged from the hospital on treatment with oral fluconazole, oral ciprofloxacin, and intramuscular gentamicin. Conclusion: In conclusion, the case highlights the importance of early detection of systematic infection manifestations in diabetic patients, regarding their age, history, and other comorbidities. Ocular symptoms are highly recommended to be evaluated in this context of Klebsiella infection.