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 language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 127 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2024 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- fungal
- keratitis
- tropical