title: Microbial keratitis in children.
abstract: In a five-year review, we identified 29 cases of microbial infection in 28 patients who were 16 years old or younger. Herpes simplex infections were excluded. Predisposing factors included trauma (ten cases, 34%), severe systemic illness (eight cases, 27%), contact lens use (seven cases, 24%), exposure keratopathy (seven cases, 24%), and previous ocular surgery (six cases, 21%). A total of 24 microorganisms were identified in cultures of corneal scrapings from 22 of the 29 cases; two cases involved polymicrobial infections. Of the 24 identified pathogens, gram-positive cocci were the most common (12). Other microorganisms included gram-negative bacteria (five) and fungi (four). Isolated cases of Acanthamoeba species, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Bacillus species were also present. Therapy with intensive topical antibiotics was successful in this series. The rate of surgical intervention (6/29, 21%) was similar to that of previous reports.
authors.affiliation: LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Clinch
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Palmon
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Barron
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Laibson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007634:Keratitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents