What is the most common infectious agent for bacterial keratitis?

What is the most common infectious agent for bacterial keratitis?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
• C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• D. Moraxella catarrhalis

Answer: (C)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common infectious agent in bacterial keratitis, especially among contact lens wearers. This organism is highly virulent in the cornea and is closely linked to lens-related contamination or exposure to water, which helps explain why it outpaces others like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in many clinical series. It also tends to cause rapid, progressive corneal ulcers, making prompt recognition and empiric coverage crucial. Moraxella catarrhalis is far less common. While non-lens wearers still get bacterial keratitis from Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, the spotlight for the most frequent cause, particularly with lens use, is on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common infectious agent in bacterial keratitis, especially among contact lens wearers. This organism is highly virulent in the cornea and is closely linked to lens-related contamination or exposure to water, which helps explain why it outpaces others like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in many clinical series. It also tends to cause rapid, progressive corneal ulcers, making prompt recognition and empiric coverage crucial. Moraxella catarrhalis is far less common. While non-lens wearers still get bacterial keratitis from Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, the spotlight for the most frequent cause, particularly with lens use, is on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.