Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Establishing a Porcine Ex Vivo Cornea Model for Studying Drug Treatments against Bacterial Keratitis
Published on: May 12, 2020
Proteus mirabilis Keratitis: Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Treatment Outcomes, and Microbiological Characteristics
Shelley Mo1, Asad F Durrani1,2, Zaid Safiullah1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
Purpose:
To characterize the risk factors, clinical presentations, management choices, and outcomes of Proteus mirabilis keratitis.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 26 culture-proven cases of P. mirabilis infections were diagnosed and treated between 1998 and 2019 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Medical records were available for 14 keratitis cases and were reviewed for demographic information, ocular risk factors, and treatment outcomes.
Results:
Sixteen eyes of 14 patients were included in the study. The average age was 47.8 ± 19.3 years, with a median follow-up time of 6 months. The most common ocular risk factors were poor ocular surface and contact lens use in 57.1% and 42.9% of cases, respectively. Eleven of the 14 patients (78.6%) had positive corneal cultures, and 13 of the 14 patients (92.9%) had positive conjunctiva or eyelid cultures. All isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, and cefazolin. Surgical intervention was required in 4 patients (28.6%). Average LogMAR visual acuity was 1.3 ± 1.0 at presentation and 0.9 6 ± 1.0 at the most recent follow-up visit.
Conclusions:
Proteus mirabilis is an uncommon cause of microbial keratitis. Patients with poor ocular surface and those who use contact lens are at increased risk for developing this cause of keratitis. Empiric treatment with fortified antibiotics or fluoroquinolones seemed to provide effective coverage for P. mirabilis.
Insights
Proteus mirabilis keratitis is uncommon but linked to poor ocular surface and contact lens use. Fluoroquinolones and fortified antibiotics show effective treatment coverage for this infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium.
- Microbial keratitis is a serious eye infection that can lead to vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize risk factors, clinical presentations, management, and outcomes of Proteus mirabilis keratitis.
- To identify patient populations at higher risk for this infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 14 culture-proven cases of P. mirabilis keratitis.
- Analysis of demographic data, ocular risk factors, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Poor ocular surface (57.1%) and contact lens use (42.9%) were primary risk factors.
- All P. mirabilis isolates were susceptible to common fluoroquinolones and cefazolin.
- Surgical intervention was needed in 28.6% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Proteus mirabilis is an infrequent cause of microbial keratitis.
- Patients with compromised ocular surfaces and contact lens wearers are at increased risk.
- Empiric treatment with fluoroquinolones or fortified antibiotics is effective.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology