ORIGIN AND PATHOGENICITY OF PSEUDOMONAS PYOCYANEA IN CONJUNCTIVAL SAC

Abstract

The "bacillus of blue pus" has been recognized for many years as a pathogenic agent capable of involving the eye. In 1899 Bietti¹ described a case of rapidly spreading corneal ulcer due to this organism. Since then similar cases have been noted by many authors.² The bacillus is described as attacking principally the corneal stroma.³ The organism enters through a primary break in the corneal epithelium. An ulcer forms. From this site the bacillus spreads along the layers of the stroma. The invaded area becomes infiltrated with polymorphonuclear cells, and this process continues until the ulcer is surrounded by a corneal ring abscess. A hypopyon may be present, and perforation with development of panophthalmitis can follow. Other types of corneal involvement have been described. Funaishi¹ recorded 6 cases of ulcers at the border of a trachomatous pannus from which a pyocyaneus-like organism was recovered, and Herbert