Multifocal Serpiginoid Choroiditis Due to Mycobacterium Mageritense following Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in an Immunocompetent Host

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report nontubercular choroiditis, caused by Mycobacterium mageritense isolated using MALDI-TOF MS, following laparoscopic hysterectomy in an immunocompetent patient.

Case Report

A 42-year-old female presented with gradual, painless diminution of vision in the right eye for six weeks. She had undergone laparoscopic hysterectomy two months back. BCVA was 2/60 OD. Clinical presentation and imaging all pointed to a diagnosis of serpiginous-like choroiditis. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) had led to isolation of Mycobacterium mageritense. Patient was treated with systemic antibiotics. At 3 months follow up, BCVA improved to 6/60; fundus showed healed choroiditis and chorioretinal thinning.

Conclusion

Atypical mycobacterial infections associated with laparoscopic surgeries can rarely lead to debilitating systemic bacteremia resulting in profound visual impairment. The importance of timely diagnosis using specific and sophisticated methods such as MALDI-TOF MS as well as maintaining aseptic precautions perioperatively during major surgeries cannot be overemphasized.

KEYWORDS:

• Multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis
• serpiginous-like choroiditis
• Mycobacterium mageritense
• MALDI-TOF MS
• laparoscopic hysterectomy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.