Spectrum of Bacterial Keratitis at a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in India

Abstract

Aim. To report the aetiological spectrum and susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from patients with corneal ulceration.Method. The microbiological data of all patients with suspected infectious corneal ulceration who presented to the ocular microbiology service at this centre between 2005 and 2012 were reviewed retrospectively.Result. Microorganisms were recovered from 1665 (77%) of the 2170 ulcers. Bacterial isolates accounted for 1205 of the organisms isolated. The most common bacterial pathogens isolated were various species ofStaphylococcus, representing 777 (64.5%), followed byStaphylococcusspp. (148; 12.3%) andPseudomonas aeruginosa(117; 9.7%). High percentages of Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to gatifloxacin (>94%), followed by ofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Almost 90% ofPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Sixty-two (44%) of 140 isolates ofStreptococcus pneumoniae, 79 (14.8%) of 534 isolates ofStaphylococcus epidermidis,and 33 (14%) of 234 isolates ofStaphylococcus aureuswere resistant to three or more antibiotics.Conclusion.Staphylococcusspp. were the most common bacterial pathogens isolated from patients with keratitis in this setting. High percentages of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin, respectively. Interestingly, a high percentage ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolates were found to be resistant to three or more antibiotics.