Table 1
Details of 44 patients presenting with microbial keratitis at KCMC
| Characteristics | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 8–97 | 44 |
| Time from onset of symptoms to presentation (days) | 1–90 | 10 |
| Number | % | |
|---|---|---|
| *Tribal herdsmen. | ||
| †Empirical treatment with broad spectrum topical antibiotic. | ||
| Sex | ||
| Male | 29 | 65.9 |
| Female | 15 | 34.1 |
| Occupation | ||
| Agricultural | 22 | 50 |
| Student/school | 6 | 13.6 |
| Driver/conductor | 4 | 9.1 |
| Maasai* | 4 | 9.1 |
| Retired | 4 | 9.1 |
| Soldier/guard | 1 | 2.3 |
| Miner | 1 | 2.3 |
| Teacher | 1 | 2.3 |
| Businessman | 1 | 2.3 |
| Treatment before presentation at KCMC of all cases (culture negative cases only) | ||
| Nil | 11 (6) | 25 |
| Local remedy | 4 (2) | 9.1 |
| Inappropriate treatment | 3 (1) | 6.8 |
| “Appropriate”† treatment, inadequate intensity | 18 (5) | 40.9 |
| “Appropriate”† treatment | 4 (2) | 9.1 |
| Unknown | 4 (2) | 9.1 |
| History | ||
| Vegetative trauma | 14 | 32 |
| All trauma | 17 | 38.6 |
| Previous corneal scar | 14 | 32 |
| Lid problems | 2 | 4.6 |
| Nil | 11 | 25 |
| Organisms cultured | ||
| Fungi | ||
| Fusarium solani | 4 | 9.1 |
| Fusarium sp | 5 | 11.4 |
| Aspergillus fumigatus | 1 | 2.3 |
| Cladosporium sp + Bacillus sp | 1 | 2.3 |
| Unidentified fungus + Staph epidermidis | 1 | 2.3 |
| All fungi | 12 | 27.3 |
| Gram positive bacteria | ||
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | 3 | 6.8 |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | 4.6 |
| Gram negative bacteria | ||
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 6 | 13.6 |
| Proteus sp | 1 | 2.3 |
| No organism cultured | 20 | 45.5 |
