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Examination of Oral Candida Infection in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Candida keratitis: emerging problem in India
Jayangshu Sengupta1, Archana Khetan, Suman Saha
1Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease Clinic, Priyamvada Birla Aravind Eye Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. jayansu@hotmail.com
Cornea
|January 21, 2012
Summary
Candida keratitis is a growing concern in India, often linked to postsurgical steroid use, diabetes, and trauma. Many cases require therapeutic keratoplasty, with a significant rate of graft failure and poor visual outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Fungal keratitis poses a significant threat to vision, particularly in developing countries.
- Candida species are increasingly recognized as a cause of fungal keratitis, necessitating a better understanding of its epidemiological characteristics and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological features and treatment outcomes of Candida keratitis.
- To identify risk factors, management strategies, and prognostic indicators for Candida keratitis in a tertiary eye care setting in Kolkata, India.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case series of 16 patients with culture-proven Candida keratitis between January and December 2008.
- Data collected included demographics, risk factors (postsurgical steroid therapy, diabetes, trauma), medical and surgical management, and final visual outcomes.
- Surgical interventions included therapeutic keratoplasty, with indications such as corneal melt, limbal extension, and treatment non-response.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans was the causative agent in all 16 identified cases.
- Postsurgical steroid therapy was the most common associated factor (8 cases), followed by diabetes and trauma (4 cases each).
- Therapeutic keratoplasty was required in all cases, with corneal melt being the primary indication (62.5%). Graft failure occurred in 43.7% of cases, and 18.8% resulted in phthisis bulbi.
Conclusions:
- Candida keratitis presents a significant challenge in India, with a concerningly high rate of poor visual outcomes.
- Failure of medical therapy and the need for extensive surgical intervention highlight potential unpreparedness in managing these infections.
- Further research and improved management protocols are crucial to address the rising incidence and impact of Candida keratitis.
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