Microbiology Profiles and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Pediatric Microbial Keratitis.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess trends in microbiology profiles and antibiotic susceptibility among pediatric infectious keratitis cases in Southern California, United States.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 years or younger diagnosed with infectious keratitis with a positive microbiology culture between 2006 and 2019 at a tertiary academic institution. Patient demographics, microbiology results, and antibiotic susceptibilities were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 23 patients included in the study period. The mean age (±SD) was 11 ± 7 years, with 60% 10 years and older. 75% were female, and 45% were of Hispanic or Latino descent. A total of 14 patients (61%) presented between June and November. A total of 30 microorganisms were identified from 24 corneal cultures of 23 eyes, and 92% were bacterial. The most common gram-positive and gram-negative isolates were Staphylococcus spp. (5/13, 38%) and Pseudomonas spp. (9/15, 60%), respectively. 92.3% gram-positive isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, but only 7.7% were susceptible to erythromycin. Gram-negative isolates were susceptible to gentamicin (86%), ciprofloxacin (79%), and ceftazidime (55%). Pseudomonas spp. was highly susceptible to gentamicin (100%) and ciprofloxacin (83%), and it was moderately susceptible to tobramycin (44%) and ceftazidime (67%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric microbial keratitis cases in Southern California were predominantly bacterial infections, with gram-positive isolates highly susceptible to vancomycin and gram-negative isolates, particularly Pseudomonas spp., showing high susceptibility to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.