Predisposing factors and etiologic diagnosis of ulcerative keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predisposing factors, demographic characteristics, and etiology of ulcerative keratitis in a referral center in Bangkok, Thailand.


METHODS
The medical records of admitted patients with positive-culture ulcerative keratitis were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, predisposing factors, and microbial culture results. Predisposing factors were compared between bacterial and fungal keratitis.


RESULTS
From January 2001 to December 2004, there were 127 positive-culture ulcerative keratitis cases. The most frequent microbiological diagnosis was bacterial keratitis (76 eyes, 60%), followed by fungal (48 eyes, 38%) and Acanthamoeba keratitis (3 eyes, 2%). The most common organisms isolated were Pseudomonas spp. for bacteria and Fusarium spp. for fungus. Compared with bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis was more likely to be associated with ocular trauma (odds ratio = 11.20; 95% confidence interval, 3.62-34.66) but less likely to be associated with contact lens wear (odds ratio = 0.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, Pseudomonas and Fusarium species are the most common causes of bacterial and fungal keratitis, respectively. Fungal keratitis was more likely than bacterial keratitis to be associated with ocular trauma, whereas fungal keratitis was less likely to be associated with contact lens wear.
Sirikul
Tasanee
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Ramathibodi Hospital School of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Prabriputaloong
Tisha
T
Smathivat
Achavee
A
Chuck
Roy S
RS
Vongthongsri
Anun
A
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors