Title
Fungal Keratitis, Epidemiology and Outcomes in a Tropical Australian Setting.
Link to article in PubMed
Author(s)
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.
Publication information
Trop Med Infect Dis . 2024 Jun 3;9(6):127. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed9060127.
Date Issued
2024-06-03
Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Tropical medicine and infectious disease
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