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2012 OMIG Abstract 1

Etiology of Infectious Corneal Ulcers and Bacterial Susceptibility to Antibiotics in Contact Lens Wearers at the University of Chicago
 K. Patel, M.A. Saidel.
University of Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chicago IL

Purpose: To analyze the laboratory results of central corneal ulcers in contact lens wearers seen at University of Chicago between 2002 and 2009 in order to determine the relative frequencies of pathogens causing bacterial ulcers and the susceptibility to antibiotic treatment of the causal bacteria. 

Method:  A retrospective chart review was done for all patients identified as having a corneal ulcer between the years 2002 and 2009. Only patients with central corneal ulcers who wear contact lenses were included in the study. Patients with viral, fungal, protozoan or neurotrophic ulcers were excluded. The culture results of the central ulcers and the bacterial susceptibility to different antibiotics were analyzed.

Results: 76 central corneal ulcers in contact lens wearers were identified. 64 of these ulcers were cultured (84%). 36 of the cultured ulcers had positive cultures (56.2%). Many of the ulcers were polymicrobial with a total of 51 organisms isolated from the 36 cultures. The most common organisms isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=22),  Coagulase negative staphylococcus (n=10), Alpha Hemolytic streptococcus (n=3), Staphylococcus aureus (n=2), Klebsiella (n=2), Serratia marcescens (n=2), Corynebacterium (n=2), Achromobacter (n=2), MRSA (n=2), E. Coli (n=1), Non alpha hemolytic streptococcus (n=1) Actinobacter (n=1), and Micrococcus (n=1).
Of antibiotics available in a topical ophthalmic formulation, gentamicin, levofloxacin, tobramycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethaxazole and vancomycin demonstrated no resistance among bacteria tested.

Conclusion:  After analyzing the results of our study we found that the most common organism in contact lens associated ulcers was Pseudomonas which was uniformly susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, levofloxacin and tobramycin. With this information, empiric treatment of corneal ulcers in Chicago can be made more specific.

Disclosure: N

2012 Agenda and Abstracts | Next >


 

 

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