| Author(s) |
Kim, Leah N
Karthik, Hema
Proudmore, Kate
Kidd, Sarah Elizabeth
Baird, Robert
|
| Publication Date |
2024-06-03
|
| Abstract |
Fungal keratitis is an ophthalmic emergency that can cause visual impairment and blindness. We reviewed the epidemiology and clinical features of fungal keratitis in a tropical Australian setting.To document the clinical and microbiological characteristics of fungal keratitis in an Australian tropical setting.A retrospective cohort study of patients with fungal keratitis from October 2014 to December 2022 was conducted at Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, Australia. We reviewed all patients with culture-proven fungal keratitis and their outcomes.There were 31 patients identified. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) patients were of a significantly younger median age (28 years) compared to non-ATSI patients (42 years), and they also presented later to health care. Contact lens use and ocular trauma were the most common predisposing factors. Most patients presented with a corneal infiltrate and corneal epithelial defect, and the central visual axis was affected in 54% of patients. spp. and spp. were the commonest causative fungi (39% and 30% respectively).Our series is different and reveals a wider range of fungal species identified over the 7 years of the study, in particular, a range of spp. were detected. Access to eye health services in rural and remote settings is important, particularly for ATSI patients, as morbidity remains high.
|
| Affiliation |
Ophthalmology Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, 105 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0811, Australia.
Ophthalmology Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, 105 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0811, Australia.
Territory Pathology, Royal Darwin Hospital, 105 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0811, Australia.
National Mycology Reference Centre, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
Territory Pathology, Royal Darwin Hospital, 105 Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT 0811, Australia.
|
| Citation |
Trop Med Infect Dis . 2024 Jun 3;9(6):127. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed9060127.
|
| ISSN |
2414-6366
|
| OrcId |
0000-0002-3829-1697
0000-0002-5957-4178
0000-0003-2006-5277
|
| Pubmed ID |
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38922039/?otool=iaurydwlib
|
| Link | |
| Subject |
fungal
keratitis
tropical
|
| MESH subject | |
| Title |
Fungal Keratitis, Epidemiology and Outcomes in a Tropical Australian Setting.
|
| Type of document |
Journal Article
|
| Entity Type |
Publication
|
| Name | Size | format | Description | Link |
|---|