Abstract
Purpose :
Corynebacterium bovis (C. bovis) is a Gram-positive, non-spore forming rod that is a common cause of bovine mastitis. There are eight reported cases of C. bovis eye infections in humans with a heterogeneity in morbidity. Here, we present a larger case series of C. bovis eye infections.
Methods :
The microbiology specimen database at our institution was queried from 2017-2023 for all eye cultures that were positive for C. bovis. The corresponding clinical cases were included if there was at least one ophthalmology clinical evaluation at or preceding the procurement of the eye culture and one following it. Clinical data recorded included demographic data, reason for culture, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), relevant comorbidities, treatment, and complications. Microbiological data recorded from culture isolates included all organisms grown and antibiotic susceptibility.
Results :
Eighteen (18) eye culture isolates from 18 eyes of 18 patients (12 female, mean age 57.1) were included. The average BCVA at time of culture was 0.43 logMAR (20/53) and the average most recent BCVA was 0.52 logMAR (20/66) (p=0.48). Five patients had cultures performed for chalazia, three for corneal ulcers, three for conjunctivitis, two for Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Environment (PROSE) lens discharge, two for blepharitis, one for a retained mini-Monoka stent, one for bacterial keratitis, and one for Sjogren’s syndrome. Three out of 18 wore PROSE lenses. Sixteen (16) patients were treated with topical or oral antibiotics, one with warm compresses, and one with observation. Seven eye cultures grew only C. bovis and 11 were polymicrobial. Antibiotic susceptibility was available for 15 isolates. All 15 isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and vancomycin, nine to erythromycin, and two to penicillin. All 18 patients had resolution of their symptoms and none experienced any long-term complications.
Conclusions :
C. bovis eye infections may be more common than previously reported. They had very low morbidity in our patient population. Outcomes for our patients were excellent with no statistically significant change in BCVA or long-term sequelae.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.