Microbial profile of infectious corneal ulcer in a remote Himalayan teaching hospital in Himachal Pradesh (India)

Abstract

Purpose: To study the microbiological profile of clinically diagnosed infectious keratitis cases in tertiary care hospitals in Solan, HP (India). Design: The study design involves prospective cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective cross-sectional study that included clinically diagnosed corneal ulcer patients from September 1, 2018 to September 1, 2019. The demographic data, predisposing risk factors, clinical details, previous treatment history, investigations, treatment, and visual outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 36 patients were included in the study, and no significant difference between the number of males and females was noted (P = 0.74). The most common etiology of ulcer was corneal trauma in 25 (69%) patients. Injury with vegetative material was the most common mode of injury (18 of 25, 72%), followed by injury during construction work (3 of 25, 12%). Twelve of 36 (33%) cases were fungal, 6 (16%) were found to be bacterial and 2 (5%) cases had mixed organisms. The most common organism isolated was Fusarium spp. in 8 (40%) cases. The most common bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus in 4 (20%) cases, followed by one each of Streptococcus pneumonia (5%) and Pseudomonas spp. (5%). Thirteen patients (36%) reached outpatient department between 7 and 14 days and 15 (42%) patients 2 weeks after the start of symptoms with no significant difference in the two genders (P = 0.97). Conclusion: Majority of infectious corneal ulcers in our region are fungal due to injuries during predominantly agriculture-based lifestyles and need urgent management.