Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Infective Keratitis in Patients Presenting to a Tertiary Care Center in Jharkhand, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectiveInfective keratitis is a significant cause of ocular morbidity and visual impairment, particularly in developing countries.Early identification of the etiological agents and associated risk factors is essential for prompt and appropriate management.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and microbiological profile of infective keratitis in patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Jharkhand and to assess the association between presenting visual acuity and the clinical etiological classification. MethodsThis hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to December 2025 at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi.A total of 168 patients with clinically diagnosed infective keratitis were included according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Detailed demographic and clinical histories were recorded, followed by a comprehensive ocular examination, including visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and intraocular pressure measurement.Corneal scrapings were obtained under aseptic conditions and subjected to microbiological evaluation using Gram staining, a 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount, and culture on appropriate media.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with a p-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. ResultsAmong the 168 patients, males constituted the majority, accounting for 120 (71.43%) patients.The mean age of the study population was 49 ± 3.2 years.The most common risk factor was trauma, followed by diabetes mellitus.Most ulcers were located in the paracentral region, measured 2-5 mm in size, exhibited feathery margins, and demonstrated 20-50% stromal involvement.Fungal pathogens were the predominant isolates, with Aspergillus flavus identified in 38 (22.62%) patients, followed by Fusarium species in 30 (17.86%) patients.A statistically significant association was observed between a history of trauma and the occurrence of fungal keratitis. ConclusionsInfective keratitis in this region was predominantly fungal in etiology, with Aspergillus flavus being the most commonly identified fungal pathogen.Early microbiological diagnosis and targeted antimicrobial therapy are essential for appropriate management and may help reduce visual morbidity.