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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Determination of Biofilm Initiation on Virus-infected Cells by Bacteria and Fungi
Published on: July 6, 2016
Prevalence and spectrum of bacterial co-infection during fungal keratitis
J C Pate1, D B Jones, K R Wilhelmus
1Department of Opthalmology and Visual Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.
Aims:
To estimate the propensity of keratomycosis for parallel or secondary bacterial infection and to explore affinities among fungal and bacterial co-isolates.
Methods:
A retrospective review of laboratory records over 24 years yielded 152 episodes of culture positive fungal keratitis. After collating 65 corneal specimens having bacterial co-isolates, polymicrobial co-infection was defined as detection of concordant bacteria on smear and culture or on two or more different media.
Results:
30 (20%) keratomycoses met laboratory criteria for polymicrobial infection. The risk of bacterial co-infection was 3.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 5.8) times greater with yeast keratitis than with filamentous fungal keratitis.
Conclusions:
Bacterial co-infection occasionally complicates fungal keratitis, particularly candidiasis.
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