Comparison of Culture Results between Specimens from Corneal Scraping with Microhomogenization and Corneal Swab in Moderate and Severe Bacterial Corneal Ulcers

Purpose To compare bacterial culture results from corneal infiltrate specimens taken by corneal scrapping followed by microhomogenization and direct scraping methods. Methods This study was a comparative cross-sectional, with 18 subjects divided into two randomized groups; Group A (first scrapings then swab), and group B (first swab then scrapings). Both scraping and swab methods are separated and then compared in data analysis. Results The proportion of Gram according to culture in the scraping-microhomogenization technique was 6/13 (46.2%) and the proportion of Gram according to cultures in the swab technique was 5/13 (38.5%). McNemar test p-value is 1.000 (p>0.05). The proportion of positive cultures in the scraping-microhomogenization technique was 13/18 (72.2%) and the proportion of positive culture in swab technique was 9/18 (50%). McNemar test p-value is 0.219 (p> 0.05). The Kappa suitability test value from scraping-microhomogenization technique against the corneal swab is 0.333. Conclusion The results of bacterial culture from specimens taken by the corneal scraping followed by microhomogenization have a higher positive culture compared to those taken by corneal swab, but not statistically significant.