A 35-year-old farmworker presents with a whitish corneal ulcer with feathery edges and satellite lesions. Hypopyon is present. KOH examination shows branching hyphae. Corneal culture is planned. Which culture medium is MOST appropriate for this organism?
- A Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) ✓
- B Blood agar
- C Thayer-Martin medium
- D BCYE (Buffered charcoal yeast extract) agar
Correct answer: A. Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA)
Explanation
Fungal keratitis (typically Fusarium or Aspergillus in tropical India, especially after vegetative trauma) shows feathery infiltrates, satellite lesions, and KOH-positive branching hyphae. Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) — typically incubated at 25-30°C for up to 4 weeks — is the standard medium for fungal cultures. Blood agar grows both bacteria and fungi but SDA is selective for fungi. Thayer-Martin medium is for Neisseria gonorrhoeae; BCYE is for Legionella.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.