Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens from External Ocular Infection at St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background:-Ocular infection is a major public health problem in developing countries.
Bacteria and fungi associated with external ocular infection are responsible for increased
incidence of morbidity and blindness worldwide.
Objective:-The aim of this study was to determine the profile of bacterial and fungal pathogens
from external ocular infection at St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
Methodology:-A cross sectional study conducted using convenient sampling technique. A total
of 215 patients recruited from April to August, 2016. Conjunctival and eyelid margin swabs and
corneal scraping were collected. Demographic data were collected using structured
questionnaire. All Specimens were processed for microbiological analysis as per standard
procedures and antibiotic susceptibility test was done using disc diffusion technique. The data
was analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and appropriate statistical tools were used.
Result: - A total of 215 patients were enrolled in this study. Of which 133(61.4 %) were culture
positive. Of this 118(54.9%) and 24(11.2%) were bacterial and fungal pathogens respectively.
There were 9 (6.8%) bacterial and fungal co-infections. Majority were males 109 (50.7%). The
mean age of the study participants was 42.34 (Sd. +20.55) and majority of participants age were
within the age range of 25-44 years 72(33.5%). Majority had conjunctivitis 87(40.5%) followed
by blepharitis 48(22.3%). The predominant bacterial pathogen isolated were gram positives
88(74.6%). Of this S. aureus 32(27.1%) was the commonest isolate and K. pneumoniae 9(7.6%)
was the predominant from gram negative bacterial pathogens. Aspergillus species 14(58.3%)
were the most predominant fungal isolates. Gram positive cocci and gram negative rods were
highly resistant for Penicillin 66/88(75%) and Ampicilin 20/27(81.5%) respectively. 71.2% of
MDR bacteria were isolated. There was statistically significant association between prevalence
of bacterial isolates and age variation (P=0.023) and trauma with fungi prevalence (P=0.002).
Conclusion:-The prevalence of bacterial and fungal pathogens was higher among external ocular
infection. The drug resistance among ocular bacterial infection was also higher.
Keywords: - External ocular infections, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, dacryocystitis,
susceptibility
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Keywords
External ocular infections; Conjunctivitis, blepharitis; Keratitis; Dacryocystitis; Susceptibility