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. 2006 Mar;90(3):289-92.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.2005.081869.

Prevalence and spectrum of bacterial co-infection during fungal keratitis

J C Pate  1 , D B Jones, K R Wilhelmus
Affiliations

Prevalence and spectrum of bacterial co-infection during fungal keratitis

J C Pate et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar.

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the propensity of keratomycosis for parallel or secondary bacterial infection and to explore affinities among fungal and bacterial co-isolates.

Methods: A retrospective review of laboratory records over 24 years yielded 152 episodes of culture positive fungal keratitis. After collating 65 corneal specimens having bacterial co-isolates, polymicrobial co-infection was defined as detection of concordant bacteria on smear and culture or on two or more different media.

Results: 30 (20%) keratomycoses met laboratory criteria for polymicrobial infection. The risk of bacterial co-infection was 3.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 5.8) times greater with yeast keratitis than with filamentous fungal keratitis.

Conclusions: Bacterial co-infection occasionally complicates fungal keratitis, particularly candidiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: none declared

Comment in

  • Polymicrobial infection and the eye.
    Tuft S. Tuft S. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):257-8. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2005.084095. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006. PMID: 16488937 Free PMC article.
  • Polymicrobial keratitis.
    Sridhar U, Chawla R, Dhawan S. Sridhar U, et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Jun;90(6):803. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2006.094151. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006. PMID: 16714278 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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