Prevalence of fungal keratitis in patients with corneal ulcer

Abstract

Background: We aimed to study the prevalence of fungal keratitis as a cause of corneal ulcer in patients referred to Faiz Hospital in Isfahan, 2012-2013. Methods: Among a total of 220 patients with corneal ulcers, 40 patients suspected to fungal keratitis, were selected. The corneal scraping was performed by an ophthalmologist and the material obtained by scraping was spread onto labeled slides in a thin, Gram's and Giemsa staining. Specimens were inoculated directly on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and Brain-heart infusion agar (BHI). Findings: There were 24 women (60) and 16 men (40) with the maen age of 61.5 ± 17.7 years (range: 20-83 years). In direct examination of 8 scraping samples (20), branching septate hyphae, filaments of bacteria and yeast cells of Malassezia species were identified. Fusarium specis and Aspergillus flavus were isolated from 5 patients. Two cases of actinomycetes were grown on Brainheart infusion agar. The most important predisposing factors were eye surgery, trauma, herpes simplex and the use of artificial eyelashes. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of fungal keratitis via direct examination and culture preparation will result to appropriate treatment of fungal keratitis. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.