Blefaritis asociada con hongos oportunistas.

Background: Blepharitis refers to a group of inlammatory processes of the eyelids. Most associated infectious processes are of bacterial origin, but chronic and rebel cases may be related with other agents such as fungi. Objective: To determine the prevalence of blepharitis related with opportunistic and/or contaminant fungi as well to describe the clinical characteristics and some risk factors associated. Patients and method: Observational, transversal and descriptive study. One hundred patients with blepharitis seen in the Ophthalmology and Dermatology departments of the Hospital General de Mexico were included. A skin swab was made of the involved area for direct observation of fungical structures, quantiication of mycological population and cultures. Results: A prevalence of 33% of fungi related blepharitis was found, 31% with Malassezia globosa and 2% with Candida albicans. Additional ilamentous fungi were found in 8% of the cases without relation of the disease. The group with more involvement was females in the fourth decade of life, workers or housewives. The use of oily substances for makeup removal was signiicant. Itching and chronicity were more important in fungal associated cases. Conclusions: The prevalence of blepharitis associated with opportunistic fungi is high, it is important to consider it when coming across with cases of blepharitis. Mild to severe cases that are highly pruritic and tend to chronicity must be oriented towards mycological examination in order to treat properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]