Seasonal Variation in the Incidence of Late-onset Bleb-related Infection After Filtering Surgery in Japan: The Japan Glaucoma Society Survey of Bleb-related Infection Report 3.

PURPOSE

To investigate seasonal variations in the incidence of late-onset bleb-related infection after filtering surgery in Japan and the relationship between season and other factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicenter, prospective study is part of a 5-year-long Japan Glaucoma Society survey of bleb-related infection. We analyzed 156 cases of first-time infections (106 men, 50 women) encountered over 5 years to determine the seasonal variation using the Roger test and the relationships between season, sex, and age by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

We noted significant monthly seasonal variation in the incidence of infection, which was the highest in January and February (23 and 18 infections, respectively; P=0.018) and lowest from August to November (9, 9, 11, and 8 infections, in that order). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that infections were most frequent among women in spring (odds ratio, 8.43; P=0.005). Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. infections were more frequent in warmer seasons than in winter. Less virulent species, namely, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Enterococcus spp., were frequently detected in winter. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. and Haemophilus influenzae were more frequent in women and men, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of late-onset bleb-related infection showed significant seasonal variation and sex differences. The climate in Japan may influence the incidence of bleb-related infection. Moreover, besides climate, physical activity level and lifestyle may contribute to the seasonal variation in the incidence and sex differences in the involved bacterial agents of bleb-related infections in Japan.