Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Corneal infections are one of the leading causes of ocular morbidity and blindness worldwide. If normal defense mechanisms of the eye are compromised, almost any microorganism can invade the cornea. It is important to know the exact etiology of corneal ulcers to institute appropriate therapy in time, least serious consequences may follow. This is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital and Research Center over 6 months. Corneal scrapings taken in the ophthalmology department, from the clinically diagnosed cases of infectious keratitis were sent to the Microbiology department for processing. The patient's age, gender, occupation, history of any trauma, use of topical medicines or use of contact lenses and ophthalmic ultrasound findings (wherever available) were recorded from the patient's clinical records. A total of 90 cases were tested for suspected fungal corneal ulcers during study period and fungal pathogens were identified in 26 cases(28.88%).Among the positive cases of fungal keratitis, males (57.7%) outnumbered females (42.3%) with a ratio of 1.67:1 (Table 1). The maximum number of positive cases was seen in the age group of 21‐30 years, followed by the age groups of 31‐40 years and 11‐20 years. The most common cause of fungal keratitis was Aspergillus avus (30.8 %), followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (23.1 %), Fusarium solani and Candida albicans (15.4 % each) and Cladophialo phorabantiana, Curvularia, Mucor and Candida tropicalis (3.8 % each ).Filamentous fungi were predominantly associated with mycotic keratitis, accounting for 80.8% of cases, as compared to yeasts which had caused keratitis in 19.2% of cases. The most common precipitating factor associated with fungal keratitis was prolonged usage of topical medications such as corticosteroids /antibiotics (53.8 %), followed by trauma with vegetative matter (38.5%), usage of contact lenses and previous corneal surgery (3.8% each). The ophthalmic ultrasound findings were seen among 26 patients with abnormality detected in 10 patients (cataract in eight patients and PVD and RD in one patient each). Infective keratitis is more common in working males, who are exposed to vegetative trauma. Early detection and treatment with proper antifungals are important to prevent ocular problems and scarring of the cornea.
How to cite this article:
Suma Nalamada, Sadiya Shahanaz and Sara Neha Shaikh Mukhtar. Study of Keratomycosis at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.8.29.33
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.8.29.33