PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report on Tsukamurella as a mimic of atypical mycobacterial infection.

METHODS

We report a patient who had received repeated corneal grafts with culture-proven Tsukamurella keratitis.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

Tsukamurella exhibits laboratory similarities to mycobacteria and should be considered in the differential of atypical infection of the ocular surface.