Positive Microbiological Culture among Patients with Infective Keratitis Visiting the Cornea Unit of a Tertiary Care Centre
Introduction: Keratitis is the infection and inflammation of the cornea. Microbial keratitis is a potentially sight-threatening corneal condition. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of positive microbiological culture among patients with infective keratitis visiting the Cornea Uni...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nepal Medical Association
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nepal Medical Association |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/8285 |
| Summary: | Introduction: Keratitis is the infection and inflammation of the cornea. Microbial keratitis is a potentially sight-threatening corneal condition. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of positive microbiological culture among patients with infective keratitis visiting the Cornea Unit of a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with a clinical diagnosis of infective keratitis presenting to the Cornea Unit of a tertiary eye care centre from 16 October 2020 to 16 March 2021 after obtaining ethical approval from the Ethical Review Board. After slit-lamp examination, corneal scrapings were performed under aseptic conditions which were subjected to Gram stain, potassium hydroxide preparation and culture for bacterial and fungal pathogens. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval.
Results: Among 428 patients, 337 (78.73%) (73.24-84.33, 95% Confidence Interval) had a positive microbiological culture. A total of 213 (49.76%) of enrolled samples had a prior history of ocular trauma. Aspergillus species 68 (20.17%) and Streptococcus species 33 (9.79%) were the most common organisms isolated from fungal and bacterial corneal ulcers respectively.
Conclusions: The prevalence of positive microbiological culture among patients with infective keratitis from this study is similar to the pattern reported from similar settings.
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| ISSN: | 0028-2715 1815-672X |