J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2000 Jul;41(7):1499-1508.

Epidemiology of Fungal Keratitis in Korea: A Multi-center Study

• Hahn YH
• Lee DJ
• Kim MS
• Choi SH
• Kim JD

Abstract

Fungal keratitis, one of devastating microbial keratitis, is difficult to diagnose and treat successfully. The authors performed prospectively an epidemiological study in Korea to identify the risk factors and to evaluate clinical manifestations, methods and results of treatment in fungal keratitis under the identical protocol from April 1995 to September 1999. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate possible risk factors. Sixty eight cases of fungal keratitis, which were identified by culture with corneal scraping or corneal biopsy and reported in 22 hospitals, were studied. The major causative organisms were Fusarium spp.(20 cases), Aspergillus spp.(17 cases), and Candida spp.(11 cases). The principal risk factors of fungal keratitis identified in this study were farmer, use of long-standing topical corticosteroids, and diabetes mellitus. Old age and corneal trauma with vegetable matters were the associated factors in fungal keratitis. Further evaluation of the risk factors and the establishment of the prevention in fungal keratitis are required.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Fungal keratits; Fusarium species; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Aspergillus
Biopsy
Candida
Diabetes Mellitus
Epidemiologic Studies
Epidemiology*
Fusarium
Keratitis*
Korea*
Logistic Models
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Vegetables
Adrenal Cortex Hormones