Corneal scrapings are collected from an ulcer under topical anaesthesia using a sterile blade. Material is inoculated directly onto blood agar, chocolate agar, and into thioglycollate broth. When the clinical picture suggests fungal keratitis, which additional medium must be inoculated?
- A Loffler serum slope
- B Sabouraud dextrose agar ✓
- C Lowenstein-Jensen medium
- D MacConkey agar
Correct answer: B. Sabouraud dextrose agar
Explanation
Sabouraud dextrose agar is the standard medium for recovering corneal fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Candida, incubated at room temperature and 37 degrees Celsius for up to four weeks. Lowenstein-Jensen medium is reserved for mycobacteria and Nocardia, while Loffler serum slope is used for Corynebacterium diphtheriae, so neither substitutes for fungal recovery.
Reference: Khurana, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.