Rising antimicrobial resistance in microbial keratitis post-COVID highlights treatment challenges

Although the overall incidence of microbial keratitis remained stable before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant shift in antimicrobial resistance patterns has occurred, according to a study.

Although some pathogens became less common, those that persisted, particularly fungi, have shown increased resistance.

A new retrospective study analyzed 947 corneal scrape samples from 2018 to 2023, dividing the data into three periods: pre-COVID (2019), COVID-19 (2020-2022), and post-COVID (2023).

Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, dominated across all periods, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, saw a decrease in incidence after COVID-19. Fungal infections, however, showed a significant increase in the post-COVID period, with Fusarium species becoming more prevalent.

The study concluded that despite a stable overall incidence of microbial keratitis, there is a growing concern about antibiotic resistance, especially among persistent pathogens.

Reference
Haro-Morlett L, Vera-Duarte GR, Oliveros-Valdes F, et al. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Microbial Keratitis: A 5-Year Comparative Study. Cornea. 2024;doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003720. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39365354.