The epidemiological aspects of fungal keratitis in a population sample from Northern Iran: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Fungal keratitis can be influenced by different genetic, environmental, and even iatrogenic factors that the impact of such factors can be very different in various populations. Thus, it should be attempted to provide a dear picture of the epidemiological situation of this disease in different areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological aspects of fungal keratitis in a population sample from northern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all consecutive patients clinically suspected to fungal keratitis that were ultimately diagnosed by positive fungal culture that admitted to Amiralmomenin hospital in Rasht city, Iran, between 2011 and 2019. The sampling method was census. The required information was collected by reviewing the hospital's recorded files. Results: Forty seven patients were examined in the study that 53.2% of the patients were men. Among the population of women, housewives-farmers with the prevalence rate of 45% and among the population of men, those with farm occupation with the prevalence rate of 52% formed the most common occupational subgroups. Most patients (89.3%) had no history of any ocular surgery or manipulation. Aspergillus was the most frequent pathogen (23.4%) followed by Penicillium (19.1%) and Fusarium (17.0%). History of chronic disorders was also revealed in 44.6%. The results of smear and culture obtained from the study were as follows: in 8.5% of patients as positive smear and positive culture, and in 91.5% as negative smear and positive culture. Only 2.1% used the lens. Conclusion: Fungal keratitis affects our male population slightly higher than females with the highest overall prevalence rate in the sixth and seventh decades of life. The most frequent fungal strains responsible for fungal keratitis include Aspergillus followed by Penicillium and Fusarium.