Vibrio cholerae non-O1 - the first reported case of keratitis in a healthy patient

• Published in: BMC infectious diseases 2019-10, Vol.19 (1), p.916-916, Article 916
• Main Authors: Chen, Wei-Dar, Lai, Li-Ju, Hsu, Wei-Hsiu, Huang, Tsung-Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Amikacin; Amikacin - administration & dosage; Amikacin - therapeutic use; Analysis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibacterial agents; Aquatic Organisms - microbiology; Case Report; Cholera toxin; Corneal ulcer; Corneal Ulcer - microbiology; Eye - microbiology; Eye - pathology; Humans; Keratitis; Keratitis - drug therapy; Keratitis - microbiology; Levofloxacin; Levofloxacin - administration & dosage; Levofloxacin - therapeutic use; Male; Marine shrimp; Medical schools; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Outcome and process assessment (Medical care); Patient outcomes; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk factors; Seawater; Seawater - microbiology; Treatment Outcome; Vibrio cholerae non-O1; Vibrio cholerae non-O1 - genetics; Vibrio cholerae non-O1 - isolation & purification; Vibrio infections; Vibrio Infections - drug therapy; Vibrio Infections - microbiology; Virulence (Microbiology); Virulence factor
• ISSN: 1471-2334; 1471-2334
• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4475-4

Vibrio cholerae non-O1 is a virulent pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Herein, we report a case of corneal ulcer caused by this pathogen. A 59-year-old fisherman with no systemic history was struck in the right eye by a marine shrimp and developed keratitis. Corneal scrapping culture revealed the presence of the V. cholerae non-O1, and its identification was confirmed by Analytical Profile Index 20E system and polymerase chain reaction. He was successfully treated with topical levofloxacin (0.3%) and fortified amikacin (12.5 mg/mL) for 2 weeks. The visual acuity recovered to 20/25 after treatment without complications. This is the first case report of keratitis caused by V. cholerae non-O1 strain. Ocular injury by marine creatures and contaminated seawater can contribute to severe corneal ulcer. Early diagnosis can be achieved by meticulous history taking and a comprehensive laboratory workup. Simultaneously, an effective antibiotic therapy can lead to a positive outcome.