RECURRENT CORNEAL INFECTIONS IN A PATIENT WITH THE ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

A 29-year-old female intravenous drug abuser infected with the human i mmunodeficiency virus suffered recurrent, bilateral corneal infections over an 11-month period. Multiple infectious organisms were responsib le, including capnocytophaga species, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococcus, and a-streptococcus. One e ye was eviscerated because of corneal perforation and loss of vision; the second eye has maintained good vision. Predisposing factors usuall y associated with corneal infections were absent. Treatment was compli cated by extremely poor patient compliance, ongoing intravenous drug a buse, and concurrent multiple extraocular medical problems.