Back to Freepaper Session

Infectious keratitis: 4 years in a tertiary hospital

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea

Session Date/Time: Sunday 16/02/2014 | 08:30-11:00

Paper Time: 09:09

Venue: Linhart Hall (Level -2)

First Author: : RitaAnjos PORTUGAL

Co Author(s): :    Barbara Borges   Andre Vicente   Margarida Pinto   Nuno Alves   Joao Feijao   Pedro Candelaria

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical presentation, microbiological results and therapy of infectious keratitis diagnosed in Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central (CHLC) between July 2009 and July 2013.

Setting:

Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of data from patients who underwent microbiological examination for suspected infectious keratitis between July 2009 and July 2013 in the CHLC ( n = 86 patients).

Results:

The most prevalent risk factor was the use of contact lenses. Of the 93 samples taken, 59 ( 63.4 % ) were positive for at least one pathogen. A total of 64 microorganisms were isolated with 35 (54.8%) being Gram-negative , 25 ( 41.9%) Gram-positive and 2 ( 3.2%) fungi. The most prevalent pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In two patients Acanthamoeba cysts were isolated by confocal microscopy. Hospitalization was needed in 64.0% of cases. The treatment of choice was the use of fortified eyedrops of vancomycin and ceftazidim, used in 74.4% of cases in the 1st visit to our center. In seven patients it was necessary to resort to surgical therapy for infection control: 4 penetrating keratoplasties, 1 lamellar keratoplasty, 1 evisceration and 1 conjunctival flap.

Conclusions:

Gram-negative microorganisms were identified more often, in particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in association with the use of contact lenses. Most scrapings were preformed in patients in ulcers with severity criteria expressed by the high rate of hospitalization and use of eyedrops fortified. Our work points to the morbidity associated with this disease and reinforces the importance of conducting microbiological studies in these patients. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE