Microbiology Profiles and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Pediatric Microbial Keratitis

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to assess trends in microbiology profiles and antibiotic susceptibility among pediatric infectious keratitis cases in Southern California, United States. Methods:This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 years or younger diagnosed with infectious keratitis with a positive microbiology culture between 2006 and 2019 at a tertiary academic institution. Patient demographics, microbiology results, and antibiotic susceptibilities were analyzed.Results:There were 23 patients included in the study period. The mean age (±SD) was 11 ± 7 years, with 60% 10 years and older. 75% were female, and 45% were of Hispanic or Latino descent. A total of 14 patients (61%) presented between June and November. A total of 30 microorganisms were identified from 24 corneal cultures of 23 eyes, and 92% were bacterial. The most common gram-positive and gram-negative isolates were Staphylococcus spp. (5/13, 38%) and Pseudomonas spp. (9/15, 60%), respectively. 92.3% gram-positive isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, but only 7.7% were susceptible to erythromycin. Gram-negative isolates were susceptible to gentamicin (86%), ciprofloxacin (79%), and ceftazidime (55%). Pseudomonas spp. was highly susceptible to gentamicin (100%) and ciprofloxacin (83%), and it was moderately susceptible to tobramycin (44%) and ceftazidime (67%).Conclusions:Pediatric microbial keratitis cases in Southern California were predominantly bacterial infections, with gram-positive isolates highly susceptible to vancomycin and gram-negative isolates, particularly Pseudomonas spp., showing high susceptibility to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.