Sertaç Argun Kıvanç - Erzurum Region Education and Research Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Erzurum, Turkey
Merih Kıvanç - Anadolu University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskisehir Turkey
Gülay Güllülü - Armedica Eye Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey

Objective(s): We aimed to characterize the phenotype and genotype of Bacillus spp isolated from diabetic patients’ eyes, by studying the drug sensitivity patterns with a disc-diffusion method. Materials and Methods: Fifty eyes of ۲۵ patients with type II diabetes mellitus, with at least ۱۰ years of diabetes history, were included in the study. We analyzed the eyes for the presence of Bacillus spp.; presumptive isolates were identified by morphological, and biochemical tests, and confirmed by the VITEK system. Automated EcoRIribotyping was performed with a RiboPrinter® Microbial CharacterizationSystem. We determinedthe antibiotic resistance of the isolates by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion test. Results: Seven out of ۲۵ patients were on insulin treatment; ۷ on oral anti-diabetic medication; and ۱۱ on combination therapy of insulin and oral medications.Among the ۲۸ Bacillus spp isolates, ۱۴ were B. cereus, ۱۱ were B. pumilus, ۲ were B. mojavensis and ۱ was B. subtilis. Almost all the strains were either resistant or multiresistant, particularly towards cefuroxime, methicillin, and ceftazidime. Conclusion: Diabetic patients seem to be more prone to B. cereus infections than healthy individuals. It would be greatly beneficial to understand and recognize the prevalence of microorganisms and their resistance patterns for better outcome in ocular surgeries.

Antibiotic resistance Automated ribotyping, Bacillus spp, Diabetic eyes