Fungal Keratitis, Epidemiology and Outcomes in a Tropical Australian Setting

Leah N. Kim, Hema Karthik, Kate Elizabeth Proudmore, Sarah Elizabeth Kidd, Robert William Baird

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1 Citation (Scopus)
6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: 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. 

Objectives: To document the clinical and microbiological characteristics of fungal keratitis in an Australian tropical setting. 

Methods: 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. 

Results: 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. Curvularia spp. and Fusarium spp. were the commonest causative fungi (39% and 30% respectively).

Conclusions: 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 Curvularia spp. were detected. Access to eye health services in rural and remote settings is important, particularly for ATSI patients, as morbidity remains high.

Original languageEnglish
Article number127
Number of pages9
JournalTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • fungal
  • keratitis
  • tropical

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