OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological and etiologic characteristics of ocular fungal infection in Haikou.

METHODSThe samples of corneal, conjunctivae, anterior chambers, lacrimal sacs were taken from the outpatients and inpatients in the Department of Ophthalmology for fungal culture. The positivity rates of fungal culture were statistically analyzed to describe the seasonal and genus distribution of the fungal infections.

RESULTSA total of 683 patients were involved in this study, and the total positivity rate of fungal culture was 27.96%. The positivity rate was 33.42% in male patients and 21.52% in female patients (P<0.01). The positivity rates were 31.42%, 11.32%, 10.81%, 21.28% and 29.17% in the cornea, conjunctivae, anterior chambers, lacrimal sacs and other locations (P<0.01), and were 34.88%, 22.58%, 11.76%, 4.11%, 21.43% and 13.33% in farmers, workers, teachers, government officers, students and personnel of other occupations (Chi2=39.550, P=0.001), respectively. In terms of age, the rate was 32.30% in 21-40 years group, 31.72% in 41-60 years group, 17.12% in over 60 years group and 26.61% in below 20 years group, showing significant differences (P<0.01). The rates were higher in August, September, October, December, November, all above 30%, but lower in March. Nine genera were identified, including Candida (49.21%), Aspergillus (19.37%), Fusarium (9.42%), mucor (5.76%), Actinomyces (5.24%), Penicillium (3.66%), Saccharomyces (2.62%), non-spore group (1.57%), Alternaria (1.57%), and other genera (1.57%). Among the 94 strains of Candida, 63 (67.02%) belonged to Candida albicans and 14 to Candida tropicalis (14.89%).

CONCLUSIONOcular fungal infection occurs more often in male patients and in the cornea. The common pathogen of ocular fungal infection is Candida, which is different from the etiological characteristics in other areas possibly in association with the tropical climate.