Single culture media in infectious keratitis

Purpose. To evaluate the usefulness of the various culture media used in th e traditional workup in infectious keratitis. Methods. Microbiology data sh eets from all corneal cultures performed at the University of California Da vis Medical Center over a I-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Resu lts, Bacterial cultures were sent in 76 cases. In 19 cases, culture specime ns from ulcers were plated onto blood, chocolate, and inhibitory mold a,oar and were inoculated into an anaerobic medium. In 58 cases, blood and choco late agar were sent. In 70% of cases, blood and chocolate agar provided ide ntical information. Inhibitory mold agar was positive twice in 39 plates se nt. A fungal pathogen had been identified on chocolate agar plates sent for these cases. Conclusion. In the evaluation of infectious keratitis, platin g onto chocolate agar or blood agar alone is a reasonable alternative to se nding multiple cultures.