Prevalence of Fungal Keratitis in Patients with Corneal Ulcer

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

5 Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

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 Brain-heart 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.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 32, Issue 308 - Serial Number 308
September and October 2015
Pages 1863-1869

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 June 2014
  • Revise Date: 03 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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