EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SUPPURATIVE KERATITIS

Abstract

Anshu Sharma 1 , Himanshu Sardana 2 , Sarita Aggarwal 3 , Varun Aggarwal 4 , Awantika Bhadauria

BACKGROUND The aim of the study is to find out the common causes and clinical characteristics of suppurative keratitis and to evaluate the adequacy of current therapy available in treating suppurative keratitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with suspected suppurative keratitis irrespective of their age and sex presenting to Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology in Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, during the period July 2015 to June 2016 were evaluated. RESULTS Over 12 month’s period, 50 patients with suppurative keratitis were evaluated. Ocular trauma was the most common predisposing factor in 62% of cases followed by chronic dacryocystitis in 16% of cases. 40% of the patients had used antibiotics and antifungals prior to admission. Most common clinical characteristics of bacterial keratitis greyish white with curdy purulent slough in 63% of cases. Dry with raised slough ulcer (83%) and satellite lesions (67%) in fungal culture positive cases. Hypopyon observed more frequently in fungal keratitis (83%). Culture were positive in 31 (62%), 36% had pure fungal infection and 26% had pure bacterial infections. The most common fungal pathogens Aspergillus (18%) and Fusarium (18%). Most common bacterial isolate was staphylococcus aureus (16%). 67% of fungal keratitis cases healed only with natamycin 5% and where in 28% cases azoles added as second agent. 85% of bacterial keratitis cases treated only with commercially available fluoroquinolones (0.3%) showed favourable response. CONCLUSION Fungal keratitis are more common than bacterial keratitis. Filamentous fungi and staphylococcus aureus were the most common fungi and bacteria, respectively. Most community-acquired suppurative ulcers resolve with appropriate treatment.

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