Epidemiological profile of infectious keratitis

Roberta Farias,Luma Pinho,Reinaldo Santos

doi:10.5935/0034-7280.20170024

Abstract

Objetivo: Avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos de úlceras de córnea em um centro privado de referência oftalmológica. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo a partir de arquivos eletrônicos de pacientes tratados por úlceras de córnea durante um período de 7 anos pelo mesmo médico (RJMF) no Centro de Olhos São Francisco, entre Junho de 2007 e Junho de 2014. Estes pacientes foram avaliados quanto a fatores de risco, trauma, co-morbidades, uso de lentes de contato, tipo de microrganismo encontrado, tratamento e evolução do doente. [...]

Highlights

Infectious keratitis or corneal ulcers are one of the greatest causes of visual impairment in the world and important cause of blindness in underdeveloped countries.[1]
The major incidence of infectious keratitis was caused by gram-negative bacteria and filamentous fungi, represented by Pseudomonas and Fusarium sp, which differs from Brazilian literature, where the majority of cases is by gram-positive bacteria, stanted by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.[7]. As regards to fungal ulcers, the result was similar to Brazilian literature, with prevalence of filamentous fungi, mainly Fusarium.[7]
30% of patients and it is an important etiology in other studies, as shown in a paper published in 2015 where culture was positive for Pseudomonas in 25% of cases.[11]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is found, as in our study, strongly associated with cases of patients using contact lenses, and contact lens use is for itself the major risk factor commonly associated with the onset of infectious ulcer, as shown in several studies.[12,13,14]

Summary

Introduction

Infectious keratitis or corneal ulcers are one of the greatest causes of visual impairment in the world and important cause of blindness in underdeveloped countries.[1] Early treatment helps to reduce corneal scarring, visual impairment and to prevent severe complications such as endophthalmitis, and even the irreversible loss of the entire globe eyeball.[1]. The incidence of this disease in the world is difficult to obtain, some data indicates an incidence of infectious keratitis varies around the world. The major risk factors associated with the onset of infeccious keratitis were: use of contact lens, ocular trauma, changes in the ocular surface (blepharitis, penetrating keratoplasty and dry eye) and systemic diseases (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, alcoholism and AIDS).(6) The history of contact lens use and ocular trauma are the most significant risk factors.[6]

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Discussion

Conclusion