PURPOSE: To investigate whether identification of the causal organism in corneal ulcers influences their outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 114 patients, 72 males and 42 females aged 6-89 years, admitted to this eye clinic during the years 1994-2000 on account of an infectious corneal ulcer. Their examination included a detailed history, visual acuity measurement, and biomicroscopy in everyday follow-up. The ulcers were classified according to their severity and outcome. We assessed the cases where cultures had been done, reviewed the results, and searched for a possible correlation between the outcome and the fact of culturing the ulcer and identifying the causal organism. RESULTS: Of the 114 corneal ulcers studied, 23 were mild, 49 moderate, and 42 severe. Fifty (44%) had not been cultured, but 64 ulcers (56%) had been cultured, with a positive result in 37 cases (58%), Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species being the most common organisms found. In moderate and severe ulcers, there was a tendency to a higher proportion of successful outcome for cultured ulcers, but with no significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a tendency towards favorable results in culture-positive corneal ulcers, the influence of the detection of the organism on their outcome has not been proved. The role of the initial broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy remains important.
PURPOSE: To investigate whether identification of the causal organism in corneal ulcers influences their outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 114 patients, 72 males and 42 females aged 6-89 years, admitted to this eye clinic during the years 1994-2000 on account of an infectious corneal ulcer. Their examination included a detailed history, visual acuity measurement, and biomicroscopy in everyday follow-up. The ulcers were classified according to their severity and outcome. We assessed the cases where cultures had been done, reviewed the results, and searched for a possible correlation between the outcome and the fact of culturing the ulcer and identifying the causal organism. RESULTS: Of the 114 corneal ulcers studied, 23 were mild, 49 moderate, and 42 severe. Fifty (44%) had not been cultured, but 64 ulcers (56%) had been cultured, with a positive result in 37 cases (58%), Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species being the most common organisms found. In moderate and severe ulcers, there was a tendency to a higher proportion of successful outcome for cultured ulcers, but with no significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a tendency towards favorable results in culture-positive corneal ulcers, the influence of the detection of the organism on their outcome has not been proved. The role of the initial broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy remains important.
Authors: Majid Moshirfar; Grant C Hopping; Uma Vaidyanathan; Harry Liu; Anisha N Somani; Yasmyne C Ronquillo; Phillip C Hoopes Journal: Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol Date: 2019
Authors: Simon Arunga; Guyguy M Kintoki; James Mwesigye; Bosco Ayebazibwe; John Onyango; Joel Bazira; Rob Newton; Stephen Gichuhi; Astrid Leck; David Macleod; Victor H Hu; Matthew J Burton Journal: Ophthalmic Epidemiol Date: 2019-12-12 Impact factor: 1.648
Authors: Simon Arunga; Naome Kyomugasho; Teddy Kwaga; John Onyango; Astrid Leck; David Macleod; Victor Hu; Matthew Burton Journal: Wellcome Open Res Date: 2019-09-24
Authors: Simon Arunga; Tumu Mbarak; Abel Ebong; James Mwesigye; Dan Kuguminkiriza; Abeer H A Mohamed-Ahmed; Jeremy John Hoffman; Astrid Leck; Victor Hu; Matthew Burton Journal: BMJ Open Ophthalmol Date: 2021-07-05