Infectious crystalline keratopathy associated with Klebsiella oxytoca

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report a novel case of a Klebsiella oxytoca-associated infectious crystalline keratopathy METHODS: This is a case report study. RESULTS: An 80-year-old woman presented with complaint of noticing a white spot in the left eye for 2 to 3 days, as well as mild soreness and discharge. Past ocular history was notable for a failed left corneal transplant for which she was taking prednisolone acetate 1 % twice per day. On slit-lamp examination, there was an extensive stromal ulcer and infiltrate in the inferior half of the transplant. Extending superiorly in the graft were branching, needle-like deep stromal opacities, characteristic of infectious crystalline keratopathy. Diagnostic scrapings revealed Gram-negative bacilli, subsequently identified on culture as K. oxytoca. There was also light growth of Staphylococcus species. The patient was placed on double topical antibiotic therapy with moxifloxacin and fortified tobramycin. After 2 months of treatment there was gradual resolution of the infection. CONCLUSIONS: K. oxytoca is a microorganism which can be associated with clinical infectious crystalline keratopathy, presenting as a mixed infection along with Staphylococcus species.