Microbiological profile of ocular infection: A large retrospective study

Authors: Fatemeh Heidary.

Author Disclosure Block: F. Heidary: None.

Abstract Body:

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the bacterial and fungal profile of pathogens for specimens

obtained from ocular infections referred to Farabi Eye Tertiary Referral Hospital, Tehran.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected data of ocular specimens taken in a period of 7- year, and the results were then retrospectively analyzed. Samples were obtained from patients who were investigated for ocular infections.

Results: A total of 16,656 ocular samples were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 48.31 years old. Most patients were males (60.33%). Male sex in the 7th decade was the largest represented group and the distribution of culture sites by season did not differ from the overall distribution by year. Specimens obtained from the cornea were the most (49.24%), which also accounts for the largest number of specimens in all seasons. The most commonly isolated fungal microorganisms were Fusarium sp, followed by Aspergillus sp, and Candida albicans. Of 6,556 culture positive specimens, 59% were Gram positive bacteria, while the rest were Gram negative. The most common isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.77%), Staphylococcus Epidermidis (13.80%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (13.27%), Streptococcus viridans (12.23%), and Staphylococcus aureus (11.18%).

Conclusions: That most received specimens obtained from the cornea. Moreover, the most commonly isolated fungal microorganisms were Fusarium sp, followed by Aspergillus sp, and Candida albicans. The most common isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Staphylococcus Epidermidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.