| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2003 | Volume
: 51
| Issue : 4 | Page : 315-321 |
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Epidemiological characteristics and laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis. A three-year study
M Jayahar Bharathi, R Ramakrishnan, S Vasu, R Meenakshi, R Palaniappan
Department of Microbiology, Aravind Eye Care System, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
M Jayahar Bharathi
Department of Microbiology, Aravind Eye Care System, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
PMID: 14750619 
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Purpose: To study the epidemiological characteristics and laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis seen at a tertiary eye care referral centre in South India.
Methods: A retrospective review of all culture-proven fungal keratitis seen over a 3-year period, September 1999 through August 2002.
Results: Fungal aetiology were confirmed in1095(34.4%) of 3183 corneal ulcers. The predominant fungal species isolated was Fusarium spp (471; 42.82%) followed by Aspergillus spp (286; 26%). Males (712; 65.08%) were more often affected (P< 0.0001). A large proportion of the patients (732; 66.85%) were in the younger age group (21 to 50 years). A majority (879; 80.27%) came from rural areas (P<0.0001), and most patients (709; 64.75%) were farmers (P<0.0001). Ocular trauma (1009; 92.15%) was a highly significant risk factor (P<0.0001) and vegetative injuries (671; 61.28%) were identified as a significant cause for fungal keratitis (P<0.0001). 172 (15.71%) patients had concurrent diabetes mellitus. The sensitivity of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount preparation was higher (99.23%) than Gram-stained smear (88.73%) (P<0.0001). Incidence of fungal keratitis was higher between June and September.
Conclusion: Agricultural activity and related ocular trauma were principal causes of mycotic keratitis. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount preparation is a simple, and sensitive, method for diagnosis. |
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