Ulcerative keratitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
OBJECTIVE
To report the clinical course, treatments, antibiotic sensitivities, and visual outcomes for eyes with ulcerative keratitis caused by Haemophlilus influenzae.


METHODS
The medical records of 10 patients with culture-proven H. influenzae-associated corneal ulcer in a tertiary referral center in a 5-year period (1998-2003) were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
The median age was 61 years (range, 2-83 years). The mean follow-up time was 9.4 months (range, 2-31 months). Risk factors such as previous surgeries (5), herpes simplex keratitis (2), leukoma adherens with calcification (1), and exposure keratitis (1) were identified in 9 patients. In vitro testing of the H. influenzae isolates showed that 6 of 10 were resistant to ampicillin; all were sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime. All cases responded well to medical antibiotic treatment. Final best spectacle-corrected visual acuity ranged from no light perception to 20/30.


CONCLUSIONS
H. influenzae is a rare cause of corneal ulceration. Predisposing factors for infection are usually present. Accurate diagnosis and treatment may preserve ocular integrity and visual acuity.
Yang
Kai-Shiang
KS
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Lin
Hsin-Chiung
HC
Ma
David H K
DH
Chen
Hung-Chi
HC
Tan
Hsin-Yuan
HY
Huang
Samuel C M
SC
Lin
Ken-Kuo
KK
Hsiao
Ching-Hsi
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents