Microbiological
Spectrum of Infectious Keratitis: Insights from a Multi-speciality Hospital Setting
Natarajan V., Venkatesan Balamurali, Akhila Kalyani A., Selvan Pavithra and Hemanth
Veena
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(3); 49-53;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/203rjbt049053; (2025)
Abstract
Microbial keratitis (MK) is a prevalent eye condition that leads to vision impairment
and poses significant risks to ocular health. It occurs when bacteria, fungi, viruses,
or parasites infect the cornea, causing damage through their virulence factors or
triggering harmful immune responses. The incidence of infectious keratitis is notably
higher in developing countries, especially in regions with low education, inadequate
sanitation and poor hygiene. This study aimed to identify the microbiological profile
of MK and to explore its socio-demographic components. This time-bound, cross-sectional
research involved patients who attended Multi-specialty hospital between January
2022 and June 2024 (18 months). A total of 361 patients were recruited for the study.
Of the 315 samples that tested positive for microbes (87.2% of the total), 188 (59.6%)
had been found to have bacteria.
Among Gram-positive organisms, Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), was the most
predominant organism isolated, accounting for 86 (45.7%) of the cases. Of Gram-negative
bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown to be a prominent culprit, responsible
for 32 cases (17.1%) and Escherichia coli was found to be involved in 26 cases (13.8%).
Out of the 127 culture positive cases, the majority of fungi were Fusarium species
54 (42.7%), Aspergillus species 46 (36.2%), Candida species 21 (16.5%), Curvularia
species 3 (2.3%), Penicillium species 3 (2.2%), F. solani 42 (77.8%), F.semitectum
7 (12.9%) and F. dimerium 5 (9.3%).
