[Distribution and shifting trends of the pathogens for bacterial keratitis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the distribution and shifting trends of corneal bacterial isolates from bacterial keratitis retrospectively.


METHODS
The data of bacterial cultures of 2 220 corneal isolates from January, 1989 to December, 1998 were reviewed.


RESULTS
During this 10-year period, 2 220 consecutive corneal cultures were obtained, and a positive-culture was recovered in 490 isolates, the positive rate being 22.1%. In the 490 positive-cultures, Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli represented 51.0% and 39.4% respectively. Gram-positive bacilli was 9.2%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated the most commonly in the corneal isolates (32.2%), followed by coagulase-negative staphylococcus (18.6%). Streptococcus pneumoniae represented 12.0%. During this period, we documented a gradual increase in the number of Gram-positive cocci coupled with a decrease of the number of Gram-negative bacilli.


CONCLUSIONS
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and coagulase-negative staphylococcus are the most common pathogens in bacterial keratitis in the north part of China. At present, the increased recovery of Gram-positive cocci and decreased of Gram-negative bacilli from keratitis isolates present an important challenge to the ophthalmology.
Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing Tong Ren Ophthalmic Center, Beijing 100730, China. sunxuguang@yahoo.com
Xuguang
X
Sun
Zhiqun
Z
Wang
Shiyun
S
Luo
Xiuying
X
Jin
Wenhua
W
Zhang
D002681:China; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci; D016987:Gram-Positive Rods; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification