Rhizobium radiobacter: A Recently Recognized Cause of Bacterial Keratitis

Cornea. 2016 May;35(5):679-82. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000000780.

Abstract

Purpose: To present the first reported cases of keratitis caused by Rhizobium radiobacter.

Methods: A retrospective review of an observational case series from 2 institutions.

Results: There were 4 cases of microbiologically proven R. radiobacter. Three of these patients were contact lens wearers. The patient in case 4 defaulted from follow-up after receipt of the culture result. Keratitis in the other cases resolved with variable clinical courses once culture-directed therapy was instituted.

Conclusions: R. radiobacter is a member of the genus Rhizobium. It is a gram-negative bacillus and was previously identified as an opportunistic pathogen in nonophthalmic infections and in a few cases of endophthalmitis. To our knowledge, we have described the clinical presentation, management, and treatment outcomes of the first reported cases of keratitis caused by R. radiobacter.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Corneal Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Corneal Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Corneal Ulcer / microbiology*
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Visual Acuity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents