KOH Mount: A Prompt and Efficient Diagnostic Tool for Mycotic Keratitis

Sumayya Sikandar  Beg; Farah  Kalsoom; Sabeen  Hussain; Javeria  Gul

doi:10.29054/apmc/2023.1323

Sumayya Sikandar Beg Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Fatima Jinnah Medial University, Lahore Pakistan
Farah Kalsoom Senior Demonstrator, Department of Pathology, Fatima Jinnah Medial University, Lahore Pakistan
Sabeen Hussain Senior Demonstrator, Department of Pathology, Fatima Jinnah Medial University, Lahore Pakistan
Javeria Gul Senior Demonstrator, Department of Pathology, Fatima Jinnah Medial University, Lahore Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2023.1323

Keywords: 10% Potassium hydroxide mount, Mycotic keratitis, Fungal hyphae

Abstract

Background: Mycotic keratitis (MK) is an ocular ailment occurring due to filamentous fungi or yeast infiltrating cornea. The leading threat for keratomycosis remains eye injury especially with and unrefined botanical substances. Contact lens wearing remains one of the leading causes in developed countries. Fusarium keratitis has emerged as a recent threat in the recent past. In 2020, the incidence of MK was estimated to be over 1 million cases per year. 80% of the cases were from Asia and East Asia. The MK cases are inversely interconnected to distance from the equator of planet Earth. There is increase in the possible incidence of MK worldwide. Diagnosing MK is challenging; correct diagnosis relies on reliable microscopy and culture, and by complementary apparatus such as in vivo confocal microscopy or PCR. Disappointingly these facilities are rare in availability in developing countries. The potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount is a commonly performed laboratory test to spot the presence or absence of fungal structures. Objective: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of fungal hyphae from corneal scrapings sent to the Microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care hospital, Lahore. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Settings: Microbiology section, Pathology department, Fatimah Jinnah Medical University/ Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: from 2017 to 2022. Methods: Corneal scrapings were collected for fungal hyphae from Eye department and were sent to microbiology section for mycotic hyphen / hyphae on 10% KOH mount microscopy. Results: The data from an observational study showed that out of total sample of 241; 27 samples were of corneal scrapings of which 12 (44.4%) cases were found to be affirmative. Conclusion: 10% KOH mount is highly sensitive and specific, cheap and readily available method for early and quick findings and management of a mycotic keratitis.