International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 6 (2013) pp. 307-314

A review of fungal keratitis: etiology and laboratory diagnosis

Nitin Goel Insan*1 , Vijay Mane1 , B. L. Chaudhary1 , Mahesh Singh Danu1 , Amod Yadav1 , and Vivek Srivastava1

1 Department of Microbiology, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Sector-18, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai- 410209, Maharashtra, India *Corresponding author e-mail: nitingoel222@gmail.com

A B S T R A C T

Fungal keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea caused by fungi. This infection is difficult to treat and it can lead to severe visual impairment or blindness. It is worldwide in distribution, but is more common in the tropics and subtropical regions. Trauma is the major predisposing factor, followed by ocular and systemic defects, prior application of corticosteroids, and prolonged use of antibiotic eye- drops. Fungal keratitis can be caused by Moulds, Yeasts, Dimorphic fungi. 105 species of fungi have been identified to cause keratitis but Fusarium species and Aspergillus species are responsible for 70 % of cases. The diagnosis of fungal keratitis is usually difficult. The clinical suspicion by ophthalmologist is unequivocally, key element in making diagnosis of fungal infection of cornea. A wide range of conventional and molecular techniques are currently available for laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to avoid blindness.

Keywords

Keratitis; Diagnosis; Fusarium; Aspergillus; Dimorphic fungi.