Identification of Bacterial Profile, Common Associated Risk Factors, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility patterns, of Bacterial keratitis in Berhan Aini Hospital, Godaif and Biet Mekae Community Hospitals of Asmara, Eritrea

Background: Bacterial keratitis causes infection and inflammation of the cornea resulting in pain, blurred vision, photosensitivity, lacrimation, eye discharge, and loss of vision in severe cases. The present study was designed to investigate the bacterial profile, associated risk factors, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns (AST) of bacterial keratitis in Berhan Aini hospital, Godaif, and Biet Mekae community hospitals of Asmara Eritrea.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the incidence of bacterial keratitis among suspected keratitis patients who visited Berhan Aini hospital and community hospitals of Godaif and Biet Mekae over the past year. The study subjects were diagnosed by an ophthalmic officer and sample was collected.

Results: A total of 330 suspected bacterial keratitis patients(330eyes) were examined during the study period of more than one year. The total 220 (66.66%) cases were culture positive, the most common isolated bacteria was Staphylococcus aureus, 110 (50%); followed by Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus CoNS 66 (30%), Streptococcus pneumoniae, 33(15%); and Streptococcus viridans 11 (5%). S. aureus isolate showed 99 (90%) sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, rifampin, gentamycin, vancomycin, and nitrofurantoin, 88 (80%) to chloramphenicol, 77 (70%) to clindamycin, 66 (60%) to erythromycin, and 55 (50%) to tetracycline, whereas it was 110 (100%) resistant to oxacillin and Penicillin. The most predisposing factor among the cases was trauma.

Conclusion: The most common bacteria causing bacterial keratitis in Asmara Ophthalmic Hospitals were Gram-positive bacteria. Trauma was found to be the most common exposing factor for bacterial keratitis which was not statistically significant associated with the culture-positive result (p>0.05). S. aureus was found to be highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, vancomycin, rifampin, and nitrofurantoin, and 100% resistant to oxacillin and penicillin upon evaluation of antimicrobial activity of several antibiotics.