Current spectrum of oculomycosis in North India: A 5-year retrospective evaluation of clinical and microbiological profile

• Published in: Indian journal of medical microbiology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 72 - 75
• Main Authors: Verma, S, Sharma, V, Kanga, A, Sharma, R, Angrup, A, Mokta, K, Garg, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Elsevier B.V 01-01-2016; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibiotics; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Aspergillus; Child; Diabetes; Eye Infections, Fungal - epidemiology; Eye Infections, Fungal - microbiology; Eye Infections, Fungal - pathology; Eye Infections, Fungal - therapy; Female; Fungal infections; Fungi; Fungi - classification; Fungi - isolation & purification; Fusarium; Humans; India - epidemiology; keratitis; Male; Microbiological Techniques; Microscopy; Middle Aged; oculomycosis; Pain; Pathogens; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Streptococcus infections; Surgery; Surgical Procedures, Operative; trauma; Visual impairment; Young Adult; India; trauma; Fusarium; Aspergillus; keratitis; oculomycosis
• ISSN: 0255-0857; 1998-3646
• DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.174104

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.