title: Clinical and microbial spectrum of fungal keratitis in Singapore: a 5-year retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemiology of fungal keratitis varies geographically, but commonly occurs in warm, tropical climates. To determine the microbial and clinical characteristics of this disease in Singapore, we conducted a 5-year hospital-based retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of culture-positive fungal keratitis at the Singapore National Eye Center and Singapore General Hospital, from January 1991 to December 1995.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine consecutive cases of culture-positive fungal keratitis were seen over the study period. The mean age of the cases was 41 years and 23 were males. Amongst the varied occupations, 9 were construction workers. The most common cultured organisms were Fusarium sp. (52%) and Aspergillus flavus (17%). More than half had a history of ocular trauma prior to the development of keratitis, while a quarter had antecedent topical corticosteroid therapy. In contrast, only 2 patients were contact-lens wearers. Despite medical therapy, 10 patients eventually required therapeutic penetrating keratoplasties; of these, 6 were caused by Fusarium species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fusarium is the commonest cultured organism in fungal keratitis in Singapore and is associated with significant ocular morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore.
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents