[Positive corneal findings of Propioni bacterium acnes and keratitis].
OBJECTIVE
Propioni bacterium Acnes may be isolated from corneal specimens. Its presence usually evokes a neighbouring tissue contamination. Nevertheless we have tried to find arguments in favour of a possible pathological responsibility of this microorganism in corneal affections.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted in thirty patients with proved P. acnes corneal infection. The specimens were collected immediately during the first examination in the emergency ward. The research of anaerobic bacteria was made for each corneal specimen.


RESULTS
We studied nineteen corneal abscesses and eleven corneal ulcers. Ninety-one percent of the cases presented an associated irritating factor. In decreasing order we found: wearing of soft contact lenses (36%), foreign corneal body still in situ or recently removed (21%), recurrent corneal erosions (9%), palpebral surgery (6%), herpetic keratitis (6%) or rosacea (3%). P. acnes was the only microorganism identified in 97% of the cases. Starting treatment before bacteriological results were known to be effective in each case.


CONCLUSIONS
These elements are an argument for the pathological role of P. acnes in corneal infections when combined with favourable local conditions. Its presence does not always mean actual contamination.
Morel
C
C
Service d'Hospitalisation V, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris.
Harrabi
S
S
Chaumeil
C
C
Le Bourdon
I
I
Scat
Y
Y
Haut
J
J
D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Prelevements corneens positifs a Propioni bacterium acnes et keratites.