Delhi Infectious Keratitis Study: Update on Clinico-Microbiological Profile and Outcomes of Infectious Keratitis

Purpose: To study the clinico-microbiological profile and outcomes of infectious keratitis (IK) at a tertiary eye care center in North India.

Methods: This is a retrospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study. One thousand seven hundred and eighty-six corneal microbiological reports were identified from January 2017 to December 2018, out of which 625 patients of IK fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They underwent microbiological examination which included corneal scrapings, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity. Demographic features, signs and symptoms, risk factors such as associated trauma, previous ocular surgery, and use of corticosteroids were also recorded.

Results: Of the 625 patients, 68.2% were male and 31.8% were female. The age group affected most was the sixth decade; 21.9% (137 cases). Trauma was the most common associated risk factor in 151 cases (24.2%) followed by previous ocular surgery in 111 (17.8%). Out of the 625 corneal scrapings, 393 (62.9%) were culture-positive. Bacterial culture accounted for 60.6% (238/393) and fungal cultures were 143 (36.4%). More than 50% of the bacterial keratitis cases and more than 60% of the fungal cases had a favorable outcome. Staphylococcus sp. and Fusarium sp. were the most common bacteria and fungus isolated, respectively. Only one-third of the cases required surgical intervention, and the remaining two-thirds were managed medically.

Conclusions: In the current study, cultures were positive in 63% of cases, and the majority of cases had bacterial growth. Surgical intervention was needed in one-third of the cases. Management of corneal infections is incomplete without a good microbiological workup. Ophthalmologists should be encouraged to learn and practice basic staining procedures, and this should start early in the training years.