EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF FUNGAL KERATITIS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN BIHAR

Abstract

Introduction: Corneal blindness is a major public health problem worldwide and fungal keratitis is one of its predominant causes. The etiological and epidemiological pattern of fungal keratitis varies signicantly with patient population, geographical region and prevailing socioeconomic conditions. Objectives:The objective of the study was to identify the specic pathogenic agents and to study epidemiological characteristics of fungal keratitis presenting at a tertiary care centre in Patna, Bihar. Materials And Methods: Corneal scrapings were obtained from clinically suspected patients of keratomycosis during the period of 18 months from May 2015 to October 2016. The scraping material was processed and identied by standard laboratory techniques. Demographic and clinical features of the patients were also collected. Results: Out of total 115 suspected fungal corneal ulcers, 63(54.78%) were positive for fungal etiology. Of these, 53(84.13%) were positive on KOH mount. 40(63.49%) and 35(55.56%) were positive in Gram stain and culture respectively. In culture, aspergillus spp (16;45.71%) were the predominant fungal species, followed by fusarium spp (12;34.29%). Males (35/63;55.56%) were more commonly affected. 22 out of 63 patients (34.92%) were of age group 31-45 years. Majority of patients were farmers (68.25%). Corneal trauma (50.79%) was the most common predisposing factor in which trauma due to vegetative matter (53.13%) was most signicant. Conclusion: Fungal keratitis continues to be a cause of concern to ophthalmologists. Agricultural activity and related ocular trauma are principal causes of mycotic keratitis. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount preparation is a simple, and sensitive, method for diagnosis.