Microbiology of conjunctiva - Essay Example

Bacterial conjunctivitis is the most frequent ocular infection in the developed world accounting for up to 2% of annual consultations in primary care. 1,2,3 Although clinical course of bacterial conjunctivitis is often benign and self-limited 4, antibiotics has been shown to reduce the symptomatic period. 5,6 Antibiotic treatment may also limit spread of the causative bacterial strain that is frequently contagious and thus they may prevent epidemics.7 Choice of antibiotics is often empirical although the decision should be based on knowledge of common causative bacteria and their resistance profile.

Emerging antimicrobial resistance and developing pattern of bacterial findings makes the choice of empiric treatment increasingly challenging. Diagnostic difficulties may lead to needless use of antibiotics 8,9 which may further stimulate resistance of bacteria even in extraocular sites. 10 Selection of antibiotics in treatment of bacterial infections in general must be adjusted according to prevailing bacterial properties. Worldwide emergence of multi-resistant bacteria, such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is obvious.

Activity of fluoroquinolones against some common ocular pathogens, for example, is also in jeopardy. 11 Bacterial findings in infants and older children have been well established and effectiveness of all local antibiotics has been demonstrated. 4, 12,4,13 Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae, for example, has also been documented in outbreak settings. 14 Distribution of bacterial isolates and differences in their resistance profile in conjunctivitis in different age categories of population, however, is not equally well characterized.

The present study aims in defining distribution of pathogenic bacteria and their in vitro sensitivity in conjunctivitis amongst age groups. METHODSPatient population and conjunctival samplesWe analyzed data of consecutive 1139 conjunctival bacterial isolates