Tsukamurella: an unrecognized mimic of atypical mycobacterial keratitis? The first case report.

PURPOSE: <br/><br/>The purpose of this study was to report on Tsukamurella as a mimic of atypical mycobacterial infection.<br/><br/>METHODS: <br/><br/>We report a patient who had received repeated corneal grafts with culture-proven Tsukamurella keratitis.<br/><br/>RESULTS: <br/><br/>A slow-progressing corneal abscess that initially developed adjacent to a corneal stitch responded poorly to empiric antibiotic treatment. A preliminary culture report revealed fast-growing mycobacterial species. Treatment adjustments successfully controlled the disease. A final diagnosis of Tsukamurella was subsequently made on the basis of cultures.<br/><br/>CONCLUSIONS: <br/><br/>Tsukamurella exhibits laboratory similarities to mycobacteria and should be considered in the differential of atypical infection of the ocular surface.<br/>