Delayed Eikenella corrodens orbital infection after fracture repair

• Published in: Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. e45 - e47
• Main Authors: Lindstrom, Devin G, Harris, Matheson A, Sivak-Callcott, Jennifer A, Nguyen, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2012
• Subjects: Abscess - diagnostic imaging; Abscess - microbiology; Abscess - therapy; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Combined Modality Therapy; Drainage - methods; Eikenella corrodens - isolation & purification; Eye Infections, Bacterial - diagnostic imaging; Eye Infections, Bacterial - microbiology; Eye Infections, Bacterial - therapy; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - diagnostic imaging; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - therapy; Humans; Male; Maxillary Fractures - surgery; Orbital Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Orbital Diseases - microbiology; Orbital Diseases - therapy; Orbital Fractures - surgery; Orbital Implants; Surgical Wound Infection - diagnostic imaging; Surgical Wound Infection - microbiology; Surgical Wound Infection - therapy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Zygomatic Fractures - surgery
• ISSN: 0740-9303; 1537-2677
• DOI: 10.1097/IOP.0b013e31821e9e11

Orbital cellulitis and abscess after fracture repair are rare. Ophthalmic infection with Eikenella species is even more unusual, but can be severe. We report a case of Eikenella corrodens infection in a 28-year-old man who underwent zygomaticomaxillary and orbital floor blowout fracture surgery 4 years before presentation. Eikenella species are often resistant to frequently used empiric antibiotics, and because of specific growth conditions, easily missed on standard cultures. Appropriate efforts should be made to identify and treat E. corrodens in atypical orbital and periocular infections.