Escherichia coli keratitis treated with ultraviolet A/riboflavin corneal cross-linking: a case report

• Published in: European journal of ophthalmology Vol. 19; no. 2; p. 295
• Main Authors: Micelli Ferrari, Tommaso, Leozappa, Marco, Lorusso, Massimo, Epifani, Enrico, Micelli Ferrari, Luisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2009
• Subjects: Aged; Collagen - metabolism; Corneal Ulcer - drug therapy; Corneal Ulcer - metabolism; Corneal Ulcer - microbiology; Escherichia coli Infections - drug therapy; Escherichia coli Infections - metabolism; Escherichia coli Infections - microbiology; Eye Infections, Bacterial - drug therapy; Eye Infections, Bacterial - metabolism; Eye Infections, Bacterial - microbiology; Female; Humans; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Riboflavin - therapeutic use; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 1120-6721
• DOI: 10.1177/112067210901900221

To describe a case of keratitis caused by the Gram-negative Escherichia coli, treated with UVA-riboflavin cross linking. Case report. A 78-year-old woman with diabetes presented with a 1-week history of pain, photophobia, foreign body sensation, and lacrimation in the right eye. The patient underwent topical and systemic antimicrobial therapy, without improvement. The authors treated the patient with riboflavin and corneal UVA crosslinking, with the aim to promote healing of the ulceration. One day after the procedure, the corneal ulceration was covered by cicatricial tissue, and the patient reported a significant improvement in symptoms. One month after the treatment, corneal edema was almost completely resolved, corneal ulceration was healed, and the painful symptoms of the patient had disappeared. UVA-riboflavin crosslinking can be useful for the treatment of corneal ulceration unresponsive to medical treatment.