Analysis of bacterial cultures in infectious keratitis, 1997 to 2004.
OBJECTIVE
To review bacterial culture results in infectious keratitis at a tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Analysis of Gram stain, bacterial culture, and targeted antibiotic sensitivities of all cases of presumed infectious keratitis at Duke University Eye Center from 1997 to 2004 (n = 453).


RESULTS
Cultures were positive in 307 cases (68%); 21% demonstrated polymicrobial growth. Among 388 isolates, 81% were Gram-positive. Gram stain results were available in 334 cases, demonstrating 18% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Antibiotic sensitivities revealed 24% resistance of tested S. aureus isolates to cefazolin, and <5% resistance of tested gram-negative isolates to various antibiotics, with no statistically significant increase from 1997 to 2004.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the microbial profile has remained stable from 1997 to 2004. Gram stain studies were of poor sensitivity, while culture yields were significantly higher and demonstrated a relatively high polymicrobial infection rate. Increasing antibiotic resistance was not clearly demonstrated.
Yeh
David L
DL
Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Stinnett
Sandra S
SS
Afshari
Natalie A
NA
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents