scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE, PREDISPOSING FACTORS, ETIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF CORNEAL ULCER PATIENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4-A) ◽  
pp. 355-357
Author(s):  
Bhawna Pant ◽  
Prashant Mathur ◽  
Yogesh Joshi

A corneal ulcer is a painful open sore on the cornea that can cause loss of vision and even blindness. The aim the study is to assess the prevalence, predisposing factors, etiology and treatment of corneal ulcer patients. 100 patients with corneal ulcer were included in the study. A detailed history with socio-demographic information, presenting complaints, predisposing factors, associated risk factors followed by drug therapy was noted carefully. Gender wise distribution showed that males (61%) were mostly affected by corneal ulcer as compared to females (39%). Occupation wise distribution showed that farmers (38%) were affected more as compared to others. Most commonly affected age group was between 41-60 years and majority of affected people were from rural areas (75%). Based on severity of the diseased condition, majority (39%) were diagnosed severe followed by mild (34%) to moderate (27%) among all corneal ulcer patients. The most common predisposing risk factor found for corneal ulcer was ocular trauma (42%). Bacterial infections (44%) were found more commonly than fungal infections (35%) and other causes. Antibiotics were mostly prescribed (44%) followed by traditional eye medicines (23%) and antifungal (16%) drugs. Such comprehensive studies are important to assess the specific epidemiological characteristics of corneal ulceration and are also necessary to define the magnitude of the problem in society, to design an efficient public health program for rapid referral, diagnosis, treatment, and to prevent corneal ulceration in the population at risk, especially in the developing nations.

Author(s):  
Dhanapal Nandini ◽  
J. Manonmoney ◽  
J. Lavanya ◽  
K.V. Leela ◽  
Sujith

Candida spp. is one among the major causes of nosocomial infection, with candidemia gaining increasing prevalence worldwide in parallel with mortality rates ranging from 10-49%. Epidemiology and predisposing factors of candidemia have changed since the number of patients receiving transplants and immunosuppressive therapy, the use of broadspectrum antimicrobials, and the number of AIDS patients have increased. Candidemia is more common among patients with subcutaneous and cutaneous candida infections, through percutaneous inoculation. Major predisposing factors for invasive candidiasis includes neutropenia, haematological malignancies, bone marrow transplantation, total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, invasive procedures, and immune-suppressive agents. This study analyses the risk factors of immunocompromised patients with candidemia and antibiogram of Candida spp. isolated from ICU patients. To evaluate the prevalence, distribution and antibiogram of Candida spp., associated risk factors, and outcome in candidemia patients. Blood samples received from patients with clinically suspected fungal infections were subjected to gram staining, culture, sugar assimilation & fermentation, Candida Chrome agar (CCA) & Corn meal agar for identification and speciation. Antifungal susceptibility tests were performed by disk-diffusion tests. Among a total of 337 samples received, 22 (6.5%) samples were positive for candida infections, of which Candida tropicalis 9 (41%) was the predominant isolate followed by C. albicans 5 (23%), Candida glabrata 4 (18%), Candida parapsilosis 2 (9%) and Candida krusei 2 (9%). Male patients had a higher prevalence of candidemia 15 (68.2%). Among the age group of 51-70 years, uncontrolled DM(Diabetes mellitus) and CKD (chronic kidney disease) were found to be the predominant co-morbidities with candidemia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Sitoula ◽  
S K Singh ◽  
V Mahaseth ◽  
A Sharma ◽  
R K Labh

Objective: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors predisposing to corneal ulceration in patients presenting to Biratnagar Eye Hospital (Nepal). Methods: All patients presenting to Biratnagar Eye Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011 with corneal ulceration were retrospectively reviewed. Sociodemographic data and information pertaining to risk factors were recorded, all patients were examined and corneal scrapping and cultures were carried out. Results: Over one year period 1644 patients with corneal ulcer were evaluated, out of which 76.6% of patients were in the age range of 30 to 69 years and 65% of patients had presenting visual acuity < 3/60. Ocular trauma was the most common cause of keratitis accounting for 60.3% of corneal ulcer and majority of the patients (40%) presented after 2 weeks of symptoms. Among corneal scraping positive cases 1150 (70%) showed fungus, 73 (4.4%) showed bacteria and 20 (1.2%) showed both bacterial and fungus. Conclusion: Corneal ulcer continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in this region. Lack of awareness about gravity of this disease, financial constraints and geographic barriers remain the major reasons for delay in seeking proper medical help.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-31
Author(s):  
Sharmeem Ahmed ◽  
Anamica Ghosh ◽  
Syed A Hassan ◽  
Shirin Tarafder ◽  
Md Ruhul Amin Miah

This cross-sectional study was carried out to identify causative pathogens and to determine the demographic characteristics and predisposing factors of corneal ulcer presenting at tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka. A total of 250 samples (corneal swab and scrapings) were collected from clinically diagnosed corneal ulcer patients attending Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Islamia Eye Hospital from February, 2004 to January, 2005. Out of 250 samples, microbial infection was established in 147 (58.8%) cases by culture and microscopy in which 82 (32.8%) patients showed fungal growth, 52 (20.8%) cases had bacterial growth and 13 (5.2%) cases had mixed bacterial & fungal growth. Aspergillus species 48 (50.53%) were the most common fungal isolates followed by Fusarium species 25 (26.32%). The predominant bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis 22(32.85%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 17 (26.15%) and Pseudomonas species 13 (20%). Out of 147 cases a larger group of patients (105, 71.43%) were in middle age group (21 to 50 years). Males (95, 64.63%) were more often affected (P<0.001). A majority of patients (114, 77.55%) came from rural areas (P<0.001), and most patients (55, 37.41%) of bacterial & fungal keratitis were farmers. Ocular trauma (87, 59.18%) was a highly significant risk factor (P<0.001) of which mostly (41, 27.89%) were due to agricultural materials. The findings of this study would help the ophthalmologists in the management of their patients with keratitis. Keywords: Corneal Ulcer, Infective Keratitis, Predisposing factors. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v4i1.8466 BJMM 2011; 4(1): 28-31


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 840-842
Author(s):  
Wojciech Musialik ◽  
Marcin Nabialek ◽  
Slawomir Letkiewicz ◽  
Andrei Victor Sandu ◽  
Katarzyna Bloch

The paper presents the possibility of using an innovative hydroxyapatite filament Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 for printing in 3D printers of bone implants and the possibility of using it during implantation with voice prostheses. The introduction of an additional colloidal silver composite in voice implants will contribute to the reduction of bacterial infections, fungal infections and granulomatous hyperplasia. The creation of a stable external ring of the vocal fistula will remove complications associated with it with enlargement of the fistula and leakiness of voice implants. The ability to print with a hydroxyapatite filament will allow digital pre-surgery modeling of bone implants suited to the needs of surgical procedures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 867-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fesatidou ◽  
Anthi Petrou ◽  
Geronikaki Athina

Background: Bacterial infections are a growing problem worldwide causing morbidity and mortality mainly in developing countries. Moreover, the increased number of microorganisms, developing multiple resistances to known drugs, due to abuse of antibiotics, is another serious problem. This problem becomes more serious for immunocompromised patients and those who are often disposed to opportunistic fungal infections. Objective: The objective of this manuscript is to give an overview of new findings in the field of antimicrobial agents among five-membered heterocyclic compounds. These heterocyclic compounds especially five-membered attracted the interest of the scientific community not only for their occurrence in nature but also due to their wide range of biological activities. Method: To reach our goal, a literature survey that covers the last decade was performed. Results: As a result, recent data on the biological activity of thiazole, thiazolidinone, benzothiazole and thiadiazole derivatives are mentioned. Conclusion: It should be mentioned that despite the progress in the development of new antimicrobial agents, there is still room for new findings. Thus, research still continues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirstine K. Søgaard ◽  
Veronika Baettig ◽  
Michael Osthoff ◽  
Stephan Marsch ◽  
Karoline Leuzinger ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives SARS-CoV-2 may cause acute lung injury, and secondary infections are thus relevant complications in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, detailed information on community- and hospital-acquired infections among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is scarce. Methods We identified 220 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients hospitalized at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland (between 25 February and 31 May 2020). We excluded patients who declined the general consent (n = 12), patients without clinical evidence of pneumonia (n = 29), and patients hospitalized for < 24 h (n = 17). We evaluated the frequency of community- and hospital-acquired infections using respiratory and blood culture materials with antigen, culture-based, and molecular diagnostics. For ICU patients, all clinical and microbial findings were re-evaluated interdisciplinary (intensive care, infectious disease, and clinical microbiology), and agreement reached to classify patients with infections. Results In the final cohort of 162 hospitalized patients (median age 64.4 years (IQR, 50.4–74.2); 61.1% male), 41 (25.3%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, 34/41 (82.9%) required mechanical ventilation, and 17 (10.5%) of all hospitalized patients died. In total, 31 infections were diagnosed including five viral co-infections, 24 bacterial infections, and three fungal infections (ventilator-associated pneumonia, n = 5; tracheobronchitis, n = 13; pneumonia, n = 1; and bloodstream infection, n = 6). Median time to respiratory tract infection was 12.5 days (IQR, 8–18) and time to bloodstream infection 14 days (IQR, 6–30). Hospital-acquired bacterial and fungal infections were more frequent among ICU patients than other patients (36.6% vs. 1.7%). Antibiotic or antifungal treatment was administered in 71 (43.8%) patients. Conclusions Community-acquired viral and bacterial infections were rare among COVID-19 pneumonia patients. By contrast, hospital-acquired bacterial or fungal infections were frequently complicating the course among ICU patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davoud Adham ◽  
Shahram Habibzadeh ◽  
Hassan Ghobadi ◽  
Shabnam Asghari Jajin ◽  
Abbas Abbasi-Ghahramanloo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease highly contagious, is prevalent in all age and sex groups infecting the respiratory system. The present study seeks to investigate the epidemiology and effective factors in mortality of patients with COVID-19 in Ardabil province, northwestern Iran. Methods In a retrospective study, the hospitalized patients with laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 between February to August 2020 were enrolled. The data registration portal was designated according to Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education guidelines. In this portal, demographic information, clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging data were registered for patients in all hospitals in the same format. The Hosmer-Lemeshow strategy was used for variable selection in a multiple model. Results Of the patients involved 2812(50.3%) were male and 150 (2.7%) had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Pre-existing comorbidity was reported in 1310 (23.4%) patients. Of all patients, 477(8.5%) died due to COVID-19. the result of the multiple logistic regression model indicated that after adjusting for other factors, higher age (OR = 3.11), fever or chills (OR = 1.61), shortness of breath (OR = 1.82), fatigue (OR = 0.71), headache (OR = 0.64), runny nose (OR = 1.54), Skeletal muscle pain (OR = 1.53), hospitalization (OR = 5.66), and hospitalization in ICU (OR = 5.12) were associated with death. Conclusions Hospitalization had the strongest effect on mortality followed by hospitalization in ICU, and higher age. This study showed that having some extra-pulmonary symptoms in contrast with pulmonary symptoms can predict as good prognostic factors.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Cresalia ◽  
Sonal T. Owens ◽  
Terri L. Stillwell ◽  
Mark D. Norris ◽  
Sunkyung Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Fungal endocarditis classically involves dense heterogenous vegetations. However, several patients with fungal infections were noted to have myocardial changes ranging from focal brightening to nodular thickening of chordae or papillary muscles. This study evaluates whether these findings are associated with fungal infections. Methods: In a retrospective case–control study, paediatric inpatients with fungal infections (positive blood, urine, or catheter tip culture) in a 5-year period were matched 1:1 to inpatients without positive fungal cultures. Echocardiograms were scored on a 5-point scale by two independent readers for presence of myocardial brightenings, nodular thickenings, and vegetations. Clinical data were compared. Results: Of 67 fungal cases, positive culture sites included blood (n = 44), vascular catheter tip (n = 7), and urine (n = 29); several had multiple positive sites. “Positive” echo findings (score ≥ 2+) were more frequent in the Fungal Group (33 versus 18%, p = 0.04). Fungal Group patients with “positive” versus “negative” echo findings had similar proportion of bacterial infections. Among fungal cases, those with “positive” echo findings had longer hospital length of stay than cases with “negative” echos (median 58 versus 40 days, p = 0.03) but no difference in intensive care unit admission, extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support, or mortality. Conclusions: Myocardial and papillary muscle brightening with nodular thickening on echocardiogram appear to be associated with fungal infections. There may be prognostic implications of these findings as patients with “positive” echo have longer length of stay. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanism and temporal progression of these changes and determine the prognostic value of this scoring system.


Author(s):  
Brigitte Rina Aninda Sidharta ◽  
JB. Suparyatmo ◽  
Avanti Fitri Astuti

Invasive Fungal Infections (IFIs) can cause serious problems in cancer patients and may result in high morbidity andmortality. C-reactive protein levels increase in response to injury, infection, and inflammation. C-reactive protein increasesin bacterial infections (mean of 32 mg/L) and in fungal infections (mean of 9 mg/L). This study aimed to determineC-Reactive Protein (CRP) as a marker of fungal infections in patients with acute leukemia by establishing cut-off values ofCRP. This study was an observational analytical study with a cross-sectional approach and was carried out at the Departmentof Clinical Pathology and Microbiology of Dr. Moewardi Hospital in Surakarta from May until August 2019. The inclusioncriteria were patients with acute leukemia who were willing to participate in this study, while exclusion criteria were patientswith liver disease. There were 61 samples consisting of 30 male and 31 female patients with ages ranging from 1 to 70 years.Fifty-four patients (88.5%) were diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and 30 (49.18%) were in themaintenance phase. The risk factors found in those patients were neutropenia 50-1500 μL (23.8%), use of intravenous line(22%), and corticosteroid therapy for more than one week (20.9%). The median of CRP in the group of patients with positiveculture results was 11.20 mg/L (11.20-26.23 mg/L) and negative culture results in 0.38 mg/L (0.01-18.63 mg/L). The cut-offvalue of CRP using the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) was 9.54 mg/L (area under curve 0.996 and p. 0.026), with a sensitivityof 100%, specificity of 93.2%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 33.3%, Negative Predictive Value (PPV) of 100%, PositiveLikelihood Ratio (PLR) of 1.08, Negative Likelihood Ratio (NLR) of 0 and accuracy of 93.4%. C-reactive protein can be used asa screening marker for fungal infections in patients with acute leukemia.


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