SUMMARY
Purpose:
To investigate the value of cultures and antibiotic senstttvtty testing in the treatment of suspected infectious keratitis.
Methods:
A retrospective chart and laboratory data review was performed for 48 consecutive patients admitted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Unicamp Medical School University, Campinas-SP (Brazil), between January and December 1995, with diagnosis of infectious keratitis. Scrapings for gram-stain and bacterial and fungal cultures were performed prior to treatment. Ulcers were classified as moderate or severe. All patients were treated with a regímen including fortified cefalothin and a fortified aminoglycoside.
Results:
Of 48 patients, 48 ulcers were either culture negative (n =12) or grew bacteria (n =36). Of the ulcers, 29 were classified as moderate, and 19 as severe. Overall, 5 (17,2%) moderate and 5 (26,3%) severe ulcers required a change in treatment.
Conclusion:
Most communityacquired bacterial ulcers resolve with broad spectrum empiric therapy, however in a significant number of cases routine culture and sensitivity studies might be necessary to modify antimicrobial therapy.
Key-words:
Cornea; Bacterial keratitis; Strategy for the care