Ocular Bacterial Infections: A Ten-Year Survey and Review of Causative Organisms Based on the Oklahoma Experience

Abstract

Ocular infections can be medical emergencies that result in permanent visual impairment or blindness and loss of quality of life. Bacteria are a major cause of ocular infections. Effective treatment of ocular infections requires knowledge of which bacteria are the likely cause of the infection. This survey of ocular bacterial isolates and review of ocular pathogens is based on a survey of a collection of isolates banked over a ten-year span at the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma. These findings illustrate the diversity of bacteria isolated from the eye, ranging from common species to rare and unique species. At all sampled sites, staphylococci were the predominant bacteria isolated. Pseudomonads were the most common Gram-negative bacterial isolate, except in vitreous, where Serratia was the most common Gram-negative bacterial isolate. Here, we discuss the range of ocular infections that these species have been documented to cause and treatment options for these infections. Although a highly diverse spectrum of species has been isolated from the eye, the majority of infections are caused by Gram-positive species, and in most infections, empiric treatments are effective.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and Prevalence of the Emerging Nosocomial Pathogen Achromobacter xylosoxidans in a North Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

“…HAIs due to Achromobacter have also been reported in ocular infection. 23,24 Whereas in our study, only 1% of ophthalmological specimen i.e. conjunctival swab having Achromobacter infections is reported.…”

Anti-Staphylococcal Biofilm Effects of a Liposome-Based Formulation Containing Citrus Polyphenols

“…Keratitis, blepharitis, uveitis, and endophthalmitis are among the infectious diseases that can affect eyes, potentially reducing/impairing vision and compromising quality of life [3]. These diseases are mainly caused by bacteria, with the Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus as the predominantly involved species [4][5][6]. Although at a lower rate than bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites can also be responsible for ocular infections [7,8].…”

“…Since both polyphenols and liposomes are now believed to be potential innovative anti-biofilm options [13,[15][16][17][18]21], in this study we spotlight the anti-biofilm activity of the liposomal polyphenol formulation, focusing on its ability to affect biofilm formation and eradicate mature biofilms. The anti-biofilm activity of the liposome-based product was tested against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, which are the most common agents of ocular infections and known to be biofilm-proficient [4][5][6].…”

Molecular Characterization of Bacterial Agents Causing External Ocular Infections Isolates of Patients in a Third Level Hospital

“…It has been shown that ocular tissues, being rich in biomolecules-mainly proteins-allow pathogen proliferation to occur easily even though the eye is an immune-privileged organ [3]. In bacteriological terms, ocular infections can be mono-or polymicrobial and are associated with factors such as contact lens wear, trauma, surgery, systemic disease, advanced age, dry eye, chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Pathogens 2023, 12, 1294 2 of 13 and previous ocular infections [3,4]. Bacterial infection is the most common complication, where keratitis, the most serious ocular infection, is the leading cause of corneal blindness and the second most common cause of blindness worldwide [5][6][7].…”