What effects might a severe infection of the upper eyelid by
stenotrophomonas maltophilia have on the eye, animal or human? Are
there any reported cases of S. maltophilia migrating to the
bloodstream if not treated after a certain period of time
(months)after infecting the eyelid of an animal or human?

---

Request for Question Clarification by tehuti-ga on 06 Dec 2002 01:51 PST

Rosemary25, is the person with the infection immunologically
compromised, ie has their resistance been severely weakened by disease
or by medication such as cancer chemotherapy?

---

Clarification of Question by rosemary25-ga on 06 Dec 2002 13:22 PST

There are no immune compromising factors such as illness or medication
now. At the time of infection, there was illness and stress which
compromised the immune system, albeit in a healthy adult, for about
two to three weeks afterward.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tehuti-ga on 06 Dec 2002 14:22 PST

The reason I asked about immunity is because this organism, although
resistant to many antibiotics, is not considered to be highly
infectious. It is frequently referred to as "colonizing" (when they
establish a stable presence somewhere on or in the body) rather than
"infecting" (when they cause a disease which progresses). Reports of
serious consequences, as far as I could find, refer to patients with
AIDS, or cystic fibrosis, or in the intensive care unit, etc. In such
patients, the consequences can be drastic, and are more likely in
those who have previously been colonized by the organism. I can
provide a summary of the literature that covers such cases, but have
hesitated to do so, because it is probably not really relevant to your
query.