[Positive corneal findings of Propioni bacterium acnes and keratitis].

PURPOSE

Propioni bacterium Acnes may be isolated from corneal specimens. Its presence usually evokes a neighbouring tissue contamination. Nevertheless we have tried to find arguments in favour of a possible pathological responsibility of this microorganism in corneal affections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in thirty patients with proved P. acnes corneal infection. The specimens were collected immediately during the first examination in the emergency ward. The research of anaerobic bacteria was made for each corneal specimen.

RESULTS

We studied nineteen corneal abscesses and eleven corneal ulcers. Ninety-one percent of the cases presented an associated irritating factor. In decreasing order we found: wearing of soft contact lenses (36%), foreign corneal body still in situ or recently removed (21%), recurrent corneal erosions (9%), palpebral surgery (6%), herpetic keratitis (6%) or rosacea (3%). P. acnes was the only microorganism identified in 97% of the cases. Starting treatment before bacteriological results were known to be effective in each case.

CONCLUSIONS

These elements are an argument for the pathological role of P. acnes in corneal infections when combined with favourable local conditions. Its presence does not always mean actual contamination.