In-vitro efficacy of antibacterials against bacterial isolates from corneal ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the in-vitro efficacy of commonly used antibacterials against bacterial pathogens from corneal ulcers.


METHODS
We evaluated 596 patients seen over 18 months, period, September 1999 through March 2001. Corneal scrapings were subjected to microscopy and cultures using standard protocols. Antibacterial susceptibility of isolated bacteria were determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method.


RESULTS
626 bacterial pathogens were isolated from 596 corneal ulcer cases. 411(65.65%) were gram positive cocci Streptococcus pneumoniae (41.85%) was the predominant bacterial species. The antibacterial susceptibility was: 451(72.04%) to cefazolin, 471(75.24%) to chloramphenicol; 321(51.28%) to cephaloridine; 430(68.69%) to vancomycin; 564(90.09%) to ciprofloxacin; 429(68.53%) to norfloxacin; 464(74.12%) to gentamicin and 202(32.27%) to co.trimoxazole.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides information on the efficacy of ocular antibacterials commonly used against bacterial pathogens of keratitis. It is hoped that this information will help decision-making in empiric initial treatment of bacterial keratitis.
Department of Microbiology and Cornea Service, Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Tirunelveli-627 001, India. aehtvl@sancharnet.in
M Jayahar
MJ
Bharathi
R
R
Ramakrishnan
Samala
S
Vasu
R
R
Meenakshi
R
R
Palaniappan
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents