• H Lakosha, C J Pavlin, and J Lipton.
• Ocular Oncology, Service, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2000 Jan 1; 20 (3): 269-74.

PurposeNocardia infection of the eye is uncommon. A case of choroidal abscess due to Nocardia farcinica infection is presented, and the literature is reviewed.MethodsA 41-year-old immunocompromised man with chronic myeloid leukemia developed a unilateral choroidal abscess. N. farcinica was isolated from a simultaneous subcutaneous abscess and both infections responded to systemic sulfonamide therapy.ResultsThree weeks after discontinuation of the sulfonamides, the choroidal abscess recurred with involvement of the vitreous. The infection was brought under control after reinstitution of the same drug.ConclusionsNocardiosis is a multisystem disease that has high mortality and ocular morbidity rates. The eyes of immunocompromised patients should be examined frequently as early detection and administration of the proper antibiotics may reduce the risk of this life-threatening infection.

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