Fungal Organisms Associated with Ocular Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Ocular infections in man are the contamination and invasion of ocular tissues by micro-organisms leading to the breakdown of the natural defense mechanisms of the eyes. The areas in the eye that are frequently infected are the conjunctiva, lid and cornea. Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the fungal organisms associated with Ocular Infections in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Abia State. Methods: Ocular specimens were collected from 500 patients and investigated using culture techniques. Results: The five hundred (500) patients, thirty-seven 37(7.4%) had fungal contamination. There was a statistical significance (p=0.006) in sex as males had 22(8.4%) more fungal contamination while females had 15(6.3%). Age played a significant role (P=0.001) as Individuals between 30-45 years were more affected (13.1%) while the least was in the age group 0-15 years (1.4%). The occupation of the patients significantly influenced (P=0.002) the prevalence of the fungal contamination of the eyes as individuals who were engaged in farming activities had the highest contamination 11(12.2%) followed by stone quarrying activities 9(13.8%). The least came from the civil servants 2(2.5%). Aspergillus niger 40(8.0%) was the most prevalent, followed by Candida albicans 32(6.4%) while Aspergillus fumigatus had the least 22(4.4%). Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium spp prevalence were 28(5.6%) and 27(5.4%) respectively. Conclusions: The culture positivity in this study was very high. Fungal infections of the eye were mostly caused by Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, C. albicans and Fusarium spp.