title: Microbial keratitis--a late complication of penetrating keratoplasty.
abstract: A retrospective review of 323 penetrating keratoplasties performed in Taiwan between January 1993 and December 1997 revealed that late microbial keratitis developed in 39 eyes of 36 patients (12.1%). All patients were operated on by the same surgeon, and all were followed for at least 1 year. The mean interval between the corneal transplantation and the onset of graft infection was 8.6 +/- 8.8 months (range 3 weeks-47 months). Predisposing risk factors for keratitis included chronic blepharitis with poor lid hygiene (43.6%), suture-related problems (38.5%), dry eyes (28.2%), epithelial defects (25.6%), and use of contact lenses (5.1%). Infectious keratitis was diagnosed within 6 months after keratoplasty in 59% of cases. Positive cultures were obtained in 100% of the ulcers; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens. In the final visual outcome assessment, 30.8% of cases had clear grafts, 20.5% had graft failures, and 10.3% had corneal perforations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan. huangsam@ms9.hinet.net
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus