Clinico-microbiological Features and Treatment Outcomes of Serratia Keratitis and Comparison with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe clinico-microbiological features and outcomes of Serratia keratitis and to compare them with Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

Methods

Cases of microbiologically proven Serratia keratitis and P. aeruginosa keratitis were reviewed. Data regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, and outcomes were recorded.

Results

39 patients with pure Serratia keratitis were included. Median presenting vision was 1.8 logMAR (IQR, 0.8–2.4) and median infiltrate size was 5 mm (IQR 3–7.8 mm). An ocular risk factor was present in 35 (89.7%) cases. S. marcescens was the most common species (31/39, 79.5%). Medical resolution was observed in 36/39 (92.3%) cases, while three (7.7%) eyes needed penetrating keratoplasty. On comparing with P. aeruginosa keratitis (58 eyes), no difference in outcomes (p = .14) was noted.

Conclusion

Serratia keratitis usually occurs in eyes with a compromised surface and has good resolution with medical therapy. Both Serratia and P. aeruginosa keratitis have similar outcomes.

  

KEYWORDS:

• Contact lens keratitis
• poor ocular surface
• P. aeruginosa keratitis
• Serratia keratitis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance Clinical Research Training Program Fellowship, Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, India