title: Ulcerative keratitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Kai-Shiang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hsin-Chiung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: David H K
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Hung-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsin-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Samuel C M
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ken-Kuo
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ching-Hsi
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsiao
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents