Raspado corneal en la lámpara de hendidura: cómo, cuándo, por qué y para qué se realiza la toma de muestra

María Agustina Borrone

doi:10.70313/2718.7446.v16.n04.270

Authors

María Agustina Borrone Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70313/2718.7446.v16.n04.270

Keywords:

corneal infection, corneal sample, corneal scraping

Abstract

Microbial keratitis is considered one of the top 5 leading causes of blindness worldwide. It is essential to determine the severity of the infection to provide timely treatment and avoid empirical treatments that can lead to increased antimicrobial resistance.

The gold standard for detecting microorganisms is corneal scraping. Analyzing the samples in the microbiology laboratory allows for the identification of the causative agent and performing antibiogram testing to determine sensitivity to different antimicrobials. The steps for corneal scraping are described in a simple and clear manner, making it possible to perform during a clinical visit while minimizing the risk of sample contamination.

Furthermore, the process of sample submission in transport media is outlined for situations where direct sampling is not possible. It is emphasized that maintaining close communication with the laboratory analyzing the samples is crucial to understand the preferences of the microbiologists who will ultimately assess the samples.

Understanding the correct technique for corneal scraping is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of microbial keratitis. Knowing its advantages and disadvantages helps in deciding the best method for sample collection to achieve better results in managing corneal infections and reducing their serious complications.

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