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Submitted: 2022-03-14
DOI: 10.35119/myjo.v4i2.275
Original Articles
Published: 2022-07-05

Fungal corneal ulcers: our 5-year experience in Bintulu

University of Malaya Eye Research Center (UMERC), Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mycology Section, Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Selangor, Malaysia
Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia
University of Malaya Eye Research Center (UMERC), Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
blindness fungal corneal ulcer fungal keratitis fungi Fusarium

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiological and aetiological pattern of fungal corneal ulcers treated in Hospital Bintulu, Sarawak.
Study design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: This study is based on the data collected from clinical records of patients with culture-positive fungal corneal ulcer who presented to Hospital Bintulu from 2016 to 2020. Data was analysed using descriptive statistical methods.
Results: A total of 13 patients had fungal corneal ulcer. Males (84.6%) were more commonly affected compared to females (15.4%). The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 67 years. The commonest age group involved was 21–40 years, constituting more than half of the patients (53.8%). The mean age of the patients was 38 years old. Fusarium sp. was isolated in eight of them (61.5%), all of which had a history of palm oil dust insertion into the eye prior to presentation. Other fungal pathogens found include Phellinus noxius sp. in two cases (15.4%) as well as Ascomyces sp., Nectriaceae sp., and Colletotrichum trunchatum sp. in one case each (7.6%). Hypopyon was seen in eight cases (61.5%), where six cases were caused by Fusarium sp. while Ascomyces sp. and Nectriaceae sp. contributed one case each. Mixed fungal and bacterial infection was seen in two cases (15.4%).
Conclusion: This study showed that Fusarium sp. is the commonest pathogen causing fungal corneal ulcer and affects predominantly young male plantation workers. The establishment of a proper framework to educate as well as strict enforcement of occupational safety may reduce the incidence of this disease in the population.