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Published on: May 12, 2020

The prevalence and pathogenicity of Propionibacterium acnes keratitis

Boris Ovodenko1, John A Seedor, David C Ritterband

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY 10003, USA.

Cornea
|December 19, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes is a common cause of bacterial keratitis, often associated with contact lens wear or prior eye surgery. This bacterium can lead to significant eye damage and may require surgical intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bacterial keratitis is a significant cause of vision loss.
  • Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a known ocular pathogen, but its role in keratitis requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence, pathogenicity, and virulence of P. acnes in cases of infectious keratitis.
  • To identify risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with P. acnes keratitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of infectious keratitis cases submitted to a microbiology laboratory from 2003 to 2006.
  • Detailed analysis of medical records for cases where P. acnes was identified.

Main Results:

  • P. acnes was identified in 9.3% of positive bacterial keratitis cultures.
  • Non-pretreated P. acnes ulcers were frequently monomicrobial (66.7%) and associated with anterior chamber inflammation, hypopyon, and stromal thinning.
  • Contact lens wear and prior ocular surgery were identified as primary risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • P. acnes is a frequent and significant causative agent of bacterial keratitis.
  • P. acnes keratitis can lead to substantial ocular morbidity, sometimes necessitating surgical management.

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