title: Current spectrum of oculomycosis in North India: A 5-year retrospective evaluation of clinical and microbiological profile.
abstract: Oculomycosis is a major cause of visual impairment. Eye pain, redness, discharge, diminution and photophobia are presenting features. We collected corneal scraping, vitreous, aqueous fluids and conjunctival swabs after the slit-lamp examination. Ophthalmological findings were hypopyon, stromal congestion, conjunctival congestion and epithelial defect. Direct microscopy of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mounts, gram staining, fungal and bacterial cultures were performed. Fungal isolates were obtained in 24% patients with equal number of both sexes and average age 49 years. KOH revealed fungi in 73% samples and 43.33% were positive on Gram staining. Fusarium spp. (36.66%), Aspergillus spp. (23.33%) and melanised fungi (20%) were common etiological agents. Fusarium spp. was more often associated with complications. Trauma was a predisposing factor in 65% cases and occurred mainly with vegetable matter. The majority responded to the conservative management with 5% natamycin and four patients required surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanga
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angrup
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mokta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents