Mycotic keratitis in Madras

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Mycotic keratitis is a serious ocular infection.
• Fungal keratitis can lead to significant vision impairment or loss.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing fungal keratitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and etiological agents of fungal keratitis in a specific patient cohort.
• To identify demographic and risk factors associated with mycotic keratitis.
• To determine the most common fungal species causing keratitis in the studied population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of corneal scrapings from 698 clinically suspected cases of mycotic keratitis.
• Direct microscopic examination and fungal culture for pathogen identification.
• Demographic data collection and assessment of patient history, including corneal trauma.

Main Results:

• Fungal infection was confirmed in 322 out of 698 cases (46.1%).
• The most affected age group was 21-50 years, with a higher incidence in males.
• Aspergillus flavus was the predominant fungal isolate (17.1%), followed by Aspergillus niger (13.7%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (10.9%).
• A history of corneal trauma from vegetable or soil matter was reported by 66.8% of patients, particularly agricultural workers.

Conclusions:

• Fungal keratitis is a significant cause of ocular infection, especially in agricultural workers with a history of corneal trauma.
• Aspergillus species are the leading etiological agents of mycotic keratitis in this region.
• Early detection and identification of causative fungi are essential for effective treatment and prevention of visual impairment.