Microbiological profile of infective keratitis in a tertiary care hospital in north Karnataka

Abstract

Corneal blindness is seen worldwide with 1.5 to 2 million new cases reported every year and approximately there are 6.8 million cases of corneal blindness in India. The study constituted 109 clinically diagnosed infective keratitis cases. Aseptically collected corneal scrapings are subjected to Gram stain, KOH wet mount & Culture. Further identification done by study of Colony morphology, staining & biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity was found using Kirby buer’s disc diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. Males affected more common than females. Common age group being 21-40 yrs. Infective keratitis is usually Bacterial(61.4%) in origin than fungal(22%). Trauma found to be the most common predisposing factor followed by diabetes, other ocular diseases, surgery & corticosteroid therapy. Trauma with vegetative material is most common. Streptococcus pneumonia & pseudomonas are most common bacterial cause while Fusarium & Aspergillus cause most fungal cases. Infective keratitis both bacterial & fungal are more common in working males, mainly agriculturists who are exposed to vegetative trauma. Early detection and treatment with proper antibacterial & antifungals is important to prevent ocular problems and scarring of cornea.