Corneal Infections: Clinical Recognition, Microbiology and Diagnostic Advances

Corneal infections are a leading cause of preventable visual impairment worldwide, particularly in low and middle income countries. Bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral pathogens contribute variably depending on geography, climate, occupational exposure, and healthcare access. Clinically, these infections often present with overlapping features such as pain, redness, photophobia, discharge, and corneal opacity, making etiological differentiation challenging. Conventional diagnosis relies on clinical judgment supported by microscopy, culture, and limited assays, which may be time consuming or insensitive. Delayed or inaccurate diagnosis frequently results in inappropriate antimicrobial therapy and poor visual outcomes. With the evolving spectrum of pathogens and increasing antimicrobial resistance, there is a pressing need to integrate clinical phenotyping with improved laboratory diagnostics and novel technologies for early and precise etiological identification.The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive platform addressing the clinical, microbiological, and diagnostic challenges of corneal infections caused by bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral agents. The Topic aims to highlight advances in clinical algorithms for early etiological suspicion based on symptoms, risk factors, and slit lamp findings, alongside innovations in laboratory diagnosis. Emphasis will be placed on emerging and future diagnostic tools, including rapid phenotypic methods, point of care tests, proteomics based identification, imaging assisted diagnostics, and artificial intelligence driven clinical decision support. By bringing together clinicians, microbiologists, and researchers, this collection seeks to bridge the gap between bedside clinical suspicion and bench based diagnostics, ultimately improving early targeted therapy and visual outcomes.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Case Series focusing on corneal infections of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral origin. We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Clinical features and symptom based differentiation of corneal infections- Risk factor analysis for bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral keratitis- Laboratory diagnostic strategies and comparative evaluation of conventional and novel diagnostic methods- Rapid diagnostics, direct specimen testing, and MALDI TOF based identification- Imaging modalities and host response biomarkers in corneal infection- Artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis and clinical decision support- Diagnostic approaches applicable to routine and resource limited settingsManuscripts exploring clinico microbiological correlations, diagnostic algorithms, and translational innovations that enhance early etiological suspicion and treatment decision making will form the core of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Parul Chawla Gupta, Harsimran Kaur, Rohan Bir Singh, Namrata Sharma Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86709/corneal-infections-clinical-recognition-microbiology-and-diagnostic-advances