title: [Epidemiological profile of keratomycosis at the HC-UNICAMP].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fungal keratitis is an important cause of corneal infection mainly in tropical countries. With high morbidity due to delay in diagnosis, laboratory examination is mandatory in these cases. However, technical difficulties in obtaining samples generate a large number of false negatives. In these cases a detailed patient assessment for specific characteristics of this entity may help in diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To create an epidemiological profile of patients with keratomycosis to assist in early diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed by searching patients with keratomycosis diagnostic on the corneal ulcers database. Information about gender, household location, educational level, occupation, age, predisposing and precipitating factors (ocular and systemic), initial etiological hypothesis, laboratory results, healing time, complications, and adjuvant treatments were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 599 patients with corneal ulcer, 150 (25%) were diagnosed as fungal infection. There was a higher prevalence in males of working age and low educational level. Trauma with plant material was involved in 74 (49.33%) cases. Other factors such as workers and residents of rural areas also supports trauma with vegetal as the main risk factor identified in the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the collected data, it was possible to form a profile of patients with fungal ulcers treated by HC-UNICAMP.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP - Campinas (SP), Brasil. guimuller@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Guilherme Gubert
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Newton
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kara-José
authors.forename: Rosane Silvestre de
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult