Endogenous Pseudomonas endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient.

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of community-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in an immunocompetent host complicated by orbital cellulitis, panophthalmitis, and subcutaneous nodules.

METHODS

An otherwise healthy 47-year-old woman presented with a 24-hour history of fever, cutaneous nodules, right sided pleuritic chest pain, and eyelid edema with severe vision loss in her right eye. A chest X-ray demonstrated a homogeneous infiltrate in the right upper lobe. Ophthalmic examination revealed signs of metastatic orbital cellulitis and panophthalmitis. Culture specimens from blood, sputum, skin, and vitreous showed a significant growth of P. aeruginosa species.

RESULTS

Intravenous antibiotic therapy led to resolution of the pneumonia, cutaneous nodules, and orbital cellulitis. Despite intravitreal and topical antibiotics, the patient finally required enucleation.

CONCLUSION

This case represents a rare combination of manifestations in an immunocompetent patient with P. aeruginosa infection. It highlights the accelerated course that may result from P. aeruginosa infection, the difficulties of treatment, and the poor prognosis in the case of eye involvement.