16S rRNA profiling of the ocular surface microbiome in microbial keratitis

Microbial keratitis (MK) is a vision-threatening infection of the cornea that requires timely and accurate identification of the causative pathogen to guide appropriate treatment. However, standard microbiological culture techniques often fail to yield an isolate or may not reflect the true causative agent. This study aims to assess the clinical utility of full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing for improved microbial detection in cases of suspected MK. By applying a long-read sequencing approach to corneal impression membrane (CIM) samples collected from patients, we seek to compare the taxonomic profiles generated via 16S rRNA sequencing with those obtained through traditional culture. The goal is to determine whether sequencing-based methods can enhance pathogen detection and provide more comprehensive insights into the microbial communities associated with keratitis. This work contributes to the growing body of research evaluating the role of molecular diagnostics in clinical microbiology, with a view toward improving diagnostic accuracy and informing treatment strategies for ocular infections.