Infectious keratitis: 4 years in a tertiary hospital

Purpose To evaluate the clinical presentation, microbiological results and treatment used in cases of infectious keratitis diagnosed in Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central (CHLC) between July 2009 and July 2013 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 ceftazidime. In seven patients surgical therapy was needed for infection control. Conclusion Our work draws attention to the morbidity associated with this disease and reinforces the importance of conducting microbiological studies in these patients. The main predisposing factor in our population was the use of contact lens, with Gram-negative microorganisms being isolated in the majority of cases.