• Leesha Shrestha Joshi, Raju Kaiti, Ranjila Shyangbo, and Birkha Bogati.
• Department of Ophthalmology, Nepal Eye Hospital, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal.
• JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2023 Oct 1; 61 (266): 775778775-778.

IntroductionKeratitis is the infection and inflammation of the cornea. Microbial keratitis is a potentially sight-threatening corneal condition. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of positive microbiological culture among patients with infective keratitis visiting the Cornea Unit of a tertiary care centre.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with a clinical diagnosis of infective keratitis presenting to the Cornea Unit of a tertiary eye care centre from 16 October 2020 to 16 March 2021 after obtaining ethical approval from the Ethical Review Board. After slit-lamp examination, corneal scrapings were performed under aseptic conditions which were subjected to Gram stain, potassium hydroxide preparation and culture for bacterial and fungal pathogens. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval.ResultsAmong 428 patients, 337 (78.73%) (73.24-84.33, 95% Confidence Interval) had a positive microbiological culture. A total of 213 (49.76%) of enrolled samples had a prior history of ocular trauma. Aspergillus species 68 (20.17%) and Streptococcus species 33 (9.79%) were the most common organisms isolated from fungal and bacterial corneal ulcers respectively.ConclusionsThe prevalence of positive microbiological culture among patients with infective keratitis from this study is similar to the pattern reported from similar settings.Keywordscorneal ulcer; keratitis; prevalence.

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