Corneal perforation and iris prolapse due to Mima polymorpha

M. Wand, G. M. Olive Jr and A. B. Mangiaracine

An 11-year-old girl had hyperacute conjunctivitis but was lost to follow-up until nine days later when she returned with a corneal perforation and iris prolapse. A smear at that time showed Gram-negative intracellular diplococci, but subsequent bacteriological study revealed the causative organism to be Mima polymorpha. This apparently is the first documented case of corneal perforation due to Mimeae, and emphasizes that Mimeae can be completely indistinguishable, clinically and on smear, from infection caused by Neisseria. Only a high index of suspicion and the proper bacterial cultures can prevent a possible tragic misdiagnosis.