[National Surveillance of Infectious Keratitis in Japan--current status of isolates, patient background, and treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the current status of infectious keratitis in Japan.


METHODS
Under the guidance of the Japanese Association for Ocular Infection, the patients with infectious keratitis caused by bacteria, fungi, or Acanthamoeba were surveyed at 24 facilities in Japan from January 1st, 2003, to December 31st, 2003, concerning isolates, patient background and treatment.


RESULTS
From a total of 261 cases, 133 micro-organisms were isolated from corneal foci of 113 cases. There were 63 Gram-positive cocci; 42 Gram-negative bacilli; 10 Gram-positive bacilli 4 anaerobic bacteria; 12 fungi; and 2 Acanthamoeba. Age distribution pattern demonstrated 2 peaks in the 20 s and in the 60 s. In the 20 s, the percentage of contact lens users was very high (89.8%). Twenty-seven cases of diabetes mellitus and 10 cases of atopic dermatitis were reported as background systemic diseases. Levofloxacin eye drops, cefmenoxim eye drops, and oral or intravenous cefems were widely used as therapeutic drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
In connection with contact lens usage, the occurrence of infectious keratitis in younger patients is marked. Gram-positive cocci are the most frequent causative agents.
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents