Utility of polymerase chain reaction for rapid diagnosis of paediatric fungal keratitis: A comparative study with conventional mycological work up

Faculty Medicine Year: 2021
Type of Publication: ZU Hosted Pages: 10
Authors:
Journal: Microbes and Infectious Diseases Microbes and Infectious Diseases Volume:
Keywords : Utility , polymerase chain reaction , rapid diagnosis    
Abstract:
Background: Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious infection with bad complications in paediatric population, thus, rapid diagnosis is necessary. Early diagnosis is a beneficial tool necessary for better management and prognosis of FK and also for prevention of subsequent complications such as endophthalmitis, amblyopia ,and loss of vision . In recent years, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) became the predominant diagnostic method for mycotic keratitis, being frequently employed for complementing microbiological approaches. The aim of this study to determine the risk factors of paediatric fungal keratitis and evaluate the utility of PCR in diagnosis by comparing its sensitivity and specificity with conventional fungal culture (the gold standard). Methods: Corneal scrapings obtained from clinical suspected patients with FK and subjected to direct microscopic examination with 10% KOH, Gram smear, fungal culture and conventional PCR using common probe to all fungi. Results: The most prominent predisposing factor for FK was ocular trauma (n=40, 57%) followed by vernal keratoconjunctivitis (n=14, 20%). Out of the 70 studied cases featuring presumed fungal keratitis, 35 were culture positive (50%), with Fusarium spp. (48.5%) and Aspergillus spp. (20%) were the predominant isolates. By comparing fungal culture (the gold standard) versus 10 % KOH examination, Gram smear, and PCR were 57.1%, 28.6%, and 97.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Ocular trauma and vernal keratoconjunctivitis are the most common risk factors for pediatrics FK with Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. are the most common isolated fungi. Polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive technique for diagnosing paediatric patients with FK
   
     
 
       

Author Related Publications

  • Ghada Abdelmoneiem Mokhtar Ahmed, "CMV, B and C hepatitis among multitransfused hereditary hemolytic Anemia children: an updated Egyptian experience", italian journal of pediatric, 2021 More
  • Ghada Abdelmoneiem Mokhtar Ahmed, "Genetic polymorphism of vitamin D receptors and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and osteonecrosis risk in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia", molecular genetic and genomic medicine, 2021 More
  • Ghada Abdelmoneiem Mokhtar Ahmed, "Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms as a risk factor for severe early-onset neonatal sepsis", Alexandria Journal of Pediatrics 2018,, 2018 More
  • Ghada Abdelmoneiem Mokhtar Ahmed, "Comparison between Specific Immunoglobulin E and Skin Prick Test for Diagnosis of Allergic Patients", Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2020 More
  • Ghada Abdelmoneiem Mokhtar Ahmed, "Fungal profile of otomycosis in a sample of Egyptian patients in Zagazig university hospitals: A prospective study", Microbes and Infectious Diseases, 2021 More

Department Related Publications

  • Noha Mohamed El Sayed Hammad, "Complement component 3c and tumor necrosis factor-α systemic assessment after Candida antigen immunotherapy in cutaneous", Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2020 More
  • Takwa Alsayed Mohamed Meawad, "Efficacies of echinocandins versus azoles antifungal agents against Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis isolates", The InTernaTIonal arabIc Journal of anTImIcrobIal agenTs Issn 2174-9094 © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License 1, 2014 More
  • Reham Mohamed Elshabrawi Mohamed, "Burden of Fungal Allergic Reactions and Response to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy", Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2016 More
  • Maha Kamal Abdel Razek, "Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Egypt", SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2015 More
  • Marian Asaad Gerges Sadaq, "Performance Characteristics of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Rapid Immunochromatographic Test for Routine Screening of Human Norovirus", AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, 2016 More
Tweet