A Case of Kocuria kristinae Corneal Ulcer Treated with Empirical Antibiotics

Abstract

Purpose: To report a successfully treated case of corneal ulcer caused by <i>Kocuria kristinae</i> in post penetrating keratoplasty state using topical empirical antibiotics.Case summary: The 63 years old patient who posted penetrating keratoplasty state with using 0.5% loteprednole complained of eye foreign body sensation and mild ocular pain. There were edematous cornea, corneal erosion, and epithelial defect. Gram staining, potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear, bacterial culture, and antibiotic sensitivity test was performed and started 1.5% levofloxacin as empirical antibiotics. The culture revealed growth of <i>K. Kristinae</i>. The effect of 1.5% levofloxacin was weak, starting to use forted ceftazidime eyedrops. After 3 months of treatment, cornea epithelial defect was healed with mild corneal erosion and edema.Conclusions: Report the successfully treated corneal ulcer caused by <i>K. Kristinae</i>. It is important to using empirical antibiotics in corneal ulcer caused by <i>K. Kristinae</i>, is almost diagnosed to immunosuppression patients.