Corneal Ulcer Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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Abstract
In two hospitals, one in Central America and one in North America, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common cause of acute bacterial corneal ulcer. Although specific chemotherapy was used more frequently and initiated earlier in California, final outcome was equally bad in both countries. El Salvador strains were more pathogenic for the rabbit cornea than the California strains. Typing with pyocine showed a higher prevalence of type 6 in Central America and of type 0 in North America. The poor outcome in California may have been due to the higher frequency of underlying eye disease. The equally poor outcome in El Salvador may have been due to the greater pathogenicity of El Salvador strains and to delayed therapy. The pyocine type of the infecting Pseudomonas should be considered in any future evaluation of therapy.