Ocular infection by a psychrophile: Pseudomonas fluorescens

ABSTRACT

Accurate identification of infectious pathogens is essential for appropriate management of ocular infections. Routine laboratory protocols typically support bacterial growth at 37°C. We report a case, wherein we serendipitously isolated Pseudomonas fluorescens – an organism that prefers lower temperatures for optimal growth (psychrophilic) in the environment – from eviscerated contents of an eye with total corneal melt. This case highlights the need for being vigilant for organisms with different temperature sensitivities in culture media than that found in routine protocols.