Corneal ulceration in Tanzanian children: relationship between malaria and herpes simplex keratitis.
Two 3-year prospective studies from 1982-1984 and 1986-1988 in Tanzania identified 189 children with corneal ulceration, of whom 92 (48.7%) were due to herpes simplex keratitis. In 1982-1984 herpes simplex keratitis was responsible for 35.5% of corneal ulcers (38 of 107), compared with 65.8% (54 of 82) in 1986-1988 (P = 0.00006). It is postulated that the increase in corneal ulceration due to herpes simplex keratitis can be attributed to an increase in the incidence and severity of malaria infection.
Yorston
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Kikuyu Hospital, Kenya.
Foster
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D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology