Pneumococcal keratitis: a clinical profile.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical features of pneumococcal keratitis and response to ciprofloxacin therapy.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 58 patients with culture-proven pneumococcal keratitis seen over a period of 2 years.


RESULTS
Pneumococcal keratitis accounted for 33.3% of bacterial keratitis. Most cases presented with non-severe keratitis (77.5%). Co-existing sac pathology was more frequent in pneumococcal ulcers as compared to non-pneumococcal bacterial ulcers (50%vs 9%, P < 0.001). Characteristic clinical features enabling an accurate clinical diagnosis were found in 27.5% and lanceolate diplococci on Gram's stain were identified in 76% of cases. In vitro testing showed a high susceptibility to cephazolin and ciprofloxacin. All patients received ciprofloxacin as first-line therapy. Eighty per cent responded well with complete healing of the ulcer. A second drug was required in 8.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
Ciprofloxacin therapy can be effective in the treatment of pneumococcal keratitis.
Parmar
Pragya
P
Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirapalli, India. amjad26@sify.com
Salman
Amjad
A
Kalavathy
C Munusamy
CM
Jesudasan
C A Nelson
CA
Thomas
Philip A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin