Recurrent corneal infections in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A 29-year-old female intravenous drug abuser infected with the human immunodeficiency virus suffered recurrent, bilateral corneal infections over an 11-month period. Multiple infectious organisms were responsible, including capnocytophaga species, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococcus, and a-streptococcus. One eye was eviscerated because of corneal perforation and loss of vision; the second eye has maintained good vision. Predisposing factors usually associated with corneal infections were absent. Treatment was complicated by extremely poor patient compliance, ongoing intravenous drug abuse, and concurrent multiple extraocular medical problems.