EXPORT CITATION

Chapter-04 Diagnostic Procedures in Infectious Keratitis

BOOK TITLE: Atlas and Text of Corneal Pathology and Surgery

Author
1. Sharma Savitri
2. Athmanathan Sreedharan
ISBN
9789962678335
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11349_4
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
18
Author Affiliations
1. LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hydrabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Devchand Nagin Das Jhaveri, Microbiology Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Jhaveri Microbiological Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Jhaveri Microbiological Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, LVPEI Network, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, LV Prasad Eye Institute Network; Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
2. LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hydrabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Microbial keratitis may be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses and each of these may produce a spectrum of disease which may or may not have distinctive clinical appearance. Many a time it may not be possible to discriminate between infected or non-infected corneas. To minimize morbidity that may occur secondary to delay in diagnosis and to achieve favorable outcome within a reasonable cost and time, laboratory investigations are indicated in patients with suspected microbial keratitis. Two entirely different protocols are required to be followed while investigating viral and non-viral corneal ulcers, so determined on the basis of clinical features. A combination of the two protocols may be called for when a distinction of viral versus non-viral is not obvious clinically. In the interest of clarity, this chapter is divided in two parts to describe microbiologic procedures required for work-up of clinically non-viral and viral corneal ulcers. Familiarity of ophthalmologists to the func tions, limitations, and scopes of microbiology laboratory is important for proper and meaningful interpretation of results. A well equipped ocular microbiology laboratory with well trained technical personnel has great advantages over a general microbiology laboratory, in handling and processing minute quantity of ocular samples, especially corneal samples. Special orientation towards process-ing and interpretation of results is of paramount importance.

© 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved