Comparative analysis of commonly clinical diagnostic method of fungal keratitis

Abstract

Objective To analyze the three diagnostic methods for fungal keratitis, to provide the basis for rapid, accurate and early diagnosis. Methods Retrospectively reviewed 993 cases of fungal keratitis patients who were treated in Henan eye institute from September 2013 to January 2014. Cornea scrapings, fungal culture and corneal confocal microscope were performed. The positive rate, impact of gender, age and duration on the three diagnostic methods were compared and analyzed. Results The positive rate by corneal scrapings was 79.5% (789/993), fungal culture was 43.2% (429/ 993) and confocal microscope was 82.1% (815/993); the positive rate comparison difference was not statistically significant between corneal scrapings and confocal microscope (P >0.05), both positive rate were higher than fungal culture (all P 0.05), both positive rate were higher than fungal culture (all P 0.05), both positive rate were higher than fungal culture (all P 0.05), both positive rate were higher than fungal culture (all P 0.05), while the course of three months or more, the rate of positive was lower, fungal culture with the extensive duration, positive rate gradually decreased (all P 0.05). Conclusions There is no statistical significant different positive rate between cornea scrapings and confocal microscope for diagnosis and comparison for fungal keratitis, both positive rates are higher than fungal culture. Male patients are more than women of fungal keratitis, their age is concentrated in 41-70, and neither gender nor age has effect on the three diagnostic positive rates. The course of three months or more, the rate of positive is lower, and course had little effect on confocal microscopy, fungal culture with the extensive duration, positive rate gradually decreases. Key words: Fungal keratitis; Cornea scrapings; Fungal culture; Confocal microscope