Purpose
To investigate the frequency of different species of bacteria grown from cornea cultures during a 15 year period. To establish a susceptibility report or antibiogram for cornea bacterial cultures obtained over a 15 year period. To analyze relationship of age, gender, and setting for the cornea bacterial cultures obtained during this time period.
Methods
This is a retrospective analysis. Data was obtained from the microbiology department from results of cornea cultures from August 12, 2000 to October 26, 2014. Patients' charts were not reviewed and protected health information was not disclosed; therefore, institutional review board was not utilized.
Results
159 cornea bacterial cultures and antibiotic susceptibility were analyzed. The percent susceptibility to various antibiotics are outlined in the chart below.<br /> <br /> Frequency for each species is as follows: S. pneumonia (13/159, 8.2%), Viridans group Streptococcus (11, 6.9%), S. agalactiae (1, 0.6%), S. pyogenes (1, 0.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (2, 1.3%), S. aureus (23, 14.5%), MRSA (12, 7.5%), S. epidermidis (36, 22.6%), Coagulase-negative Staph (17, 10.7%), Bacillus species (2, 1.3%), Diphtheroids (3, 1.9%), Micrococcus species (2, 1.3%), Serratia marcescens (7, 4.4%), Serratia liquefaciens (1, 0.6%), Proteus mirabilis (1, 0.6%), E. coli (1, 0.6%), P. aeruginosa (15, 9.4%), Pseudomonas fluorescens-putida group (3, 1.9%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (1, 0.6%), Acinetobacter species (3, 1.9%), Moraxella species (2, 1.3%), and Achromobacter xylosoxidans (2, 1.3%).<br /> <br /> Of the cornea cultures, 52.2% were from male and 45.9% from female patients. 3 of the specimens had unknown gender listed. Of the cornea cultures, 1.9% were <15 years of age, 10.1% were 15-35 years of age, 28.9% were 36-60 years of age and 59.1% were 60+ years of age. The outpatient setting accounted for 90.6%, inpatient accounted for 5.0% and emergency department accounted for 4.4% of the specimens obtained.
Conclusions
Establishing a susceptibility report for the hospital provides valuable data for ophthalmic practitioners who practice in this region. Specifically, it will assist in selecting effective antibiotics and potentially narrowing the antibiotic choice based on preliminary culture results. It also provides data that can be compared to cornea bacterial cultures from other regions.