BACKGROUND Tissues from septicemic donor are considered contraindication for transplantation. However, a definite evidence is lacking to link these corneas as a potential source of post-transplantation infection. AIM To assess corneal tissue microbiology in septicemic donors and correlate postmortem blood cultures with ocular isolates to determine transplant suitability. METHODS A bicentric cross-sectional study evaluated 264 eyes from 136 septicemic and non-septicemic donors at two eye banks of