Clinical aspects and treatment outcomes of moraxella keratitis

Purpose: To analyze the clinical presentation, predisposing risk factors, and evaluate the treatment outcomes of Moraxella keratitis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 12 culture positive cases of Moraxella keratitis from hospital records between March 2001 and November 2015 at a tertiary hospital to identify and analyze its risk factors, causative microbial organisms, clinical features, and therapeutic outcomes. Results: The mean patient age was 68 years (range, 46–86). The most common cause of keratitis was trauma (six eyes, 50.0%), and half of these patients had diabetes mellitus (three patients, 25.0%). Two patients (16.6%) were previously treated with penetrating keratoplasty. The locations of keratitis involved the central (50.0%) and paracentral (50.0%) regions. Round-shaped corneal infiltration was found in seven eyes (58.3%), and irregular-shaped infiltration was found in five eyes (41.7%). Hypopyon was observed in five eyes (41.7%). All Moraxella isolates were susceptible to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. The isolates from three patients were resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The mean complete epithelial healing time was 32.4 days. The final visual acuity was 20/1,000 or less in seven eyes (58.3%). Three eyes developed corneal perforations and eventually underwent evisceration. Conclusions: In the Republic of Korea, Moraxella keratitis frequently occurs in eyes with trauma. The treatment response is very slow and has a poor visual outcome; thus, a long period of antibiotic therapy is necessary.