Spectrum of Microbial Keratitis in South Florida

Laboratorial analyses of fungal keratitis in a University Service

“…There are no data in Brazil on the frequency of corneal mycotic infections in the various regions as has been observed between the south and the north of the US 4,6 . Our results agree with those of other surveys which also present predominance of filamentous fungi [1][2][3]10 .…”

“…Among the micotis keratitis cases, filamentous fungi were the most frequent with 77.04% (47/61), these agents being the predicted fungi in warm climates 3,4,6 . Regarding identified fungi, our results agree with those reported for series described in other countries, which show and incidence of 6 to 82% for Fusarium 2, 4, 6 , 8.2 to 25.1% for Candida 2, 3, 6 , 2 to rich knowledge about this issue.…”

“…Approximately 60 fungus genera have already been identified as etiologic agents of infectious keratitis 1 . The rural population is generally more prone than the urban one to this type of infection [2][3][4] because of the higher probability of exposure to trauma, mainly due to plants.…”

“…Epidemiological characteristics of ocular infections due to filamentous and yeast-like fungi are different [1][2][3] . Filamentous fungi appear at a higher frequency in corneal infections in countries near the equator [1][2][3] , in users of topical corticosteroids 4,6 , in contact lens users 6,7 and after ocular trauma due to plants 4,6 . Infections due to yeast occur in cold countries and are more frequent in patients who live the poles [1][2][3] , in therapeutic contact lens users 7 , in eye with previous surgeries and in patients under local or systemic immunosuppression with corticosteriods or immunosuppressants [1][2][3] .…”

Fungal infections of the cornea

“…Environmental factors (humidity, rainfall, wind) greatly influence the occurrence of filamentous fungal keratitis and may also determine seasonal variations in frequency of isolation and types of fungi isolated. [6][7][8][9] Less frequent predisposing factors include immunological incompetence, prior administration of corticosteroids or antibacterial agents, 'allergic conjunctivitis', and the use of hydrophilic contact lenses. 5,[10][11][12] It is not known whether the use of traditional eye medicines specifically predisposes to filamentous fungal keratitis.…”