Seasonal Presentation and Microbiological Profile of Infectious Keratitis (IK) in Selected Hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infectious keratitis is a common ophthalmic disease with the potential for severe ocular morbidity. Although, there have been few reports of ocular infections from other geopolitical regions in Nigeria but seasonal variation in patients’ presentation to hospital is yet to be described in this centre. This study sets out to determine the seasonal trends of onset of infectious keratitis and causative microorganisms in selected hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients who presented with infectious keratitis at the Ophthalmology Clinics of selected hospitals in Ilorin. Seasonal distribution of incidence, demographic characteristics, culture and microbiological profiles of the patients were determined. We analyzed the data using SPSS version 20.0 software to determine whether a significant variation existed between rainy and seasons, frequency of presentation of ulcers and other risk factors. Results: A total of 89 patients; 69 males (34 in rainy season, 25 in dry season) and 30 females (20 in rainy season and 10 in dry season), with a mean age of 40 (range 3-77; median, 36) diagnosed with infectious keratitis was included in the analysis. Bacterial culture positivity rate for the rainy and dry season were 36 (59.0%), 25 (40.9%) respectively. Significant variations observed in causative organisms; Staphylococcus species 14 (22.9%) in rainy season, Klebsiella 6 (9.8%) in dry season. Conclusion: Incidence of bacterial-induced infections was high in rainy season. The association of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection with rainy season was likely attributed to warmer temperature conducive for microbial growth