title: Predisposing factors, clinical and microbiological aspects of bacterial keratitis: a clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify predisposing factors and to evaluate clinical and microbiological characteristics of bacterial keratitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was performed on the charts of patients hospitalized for microbial keratitis and treated at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy. The study was performed during a 42-month period. Risk factors, clinical and microbiological data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 65 patients with bacterial keratitis were documented. Contact lens wear was the most common risk factor (46.1%). Trauma or a history of keratopathy was found in 18.5% and 15.4% of cases, respectively. An organism was identified in 62% of cases. 74% of all positive cultures involved gram negative bacteria. The most frequently cultured organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone (72.2%) or in combination with other microorganisms (16.7%). Fifty-eight per cent of patients had visual acuity better than the level at admission, and 12% had very poor visual outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contact lens wear is the most important risk factor. The role of initial therapy for microbial keratitis remains important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. filippo.cruciani@tin.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cruciani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuozzo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Pillo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections; D002648:Child; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult