Bacteriology and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Infants.

Lee, Ho Sun; Lew, Helen; Yun, Young Soo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2003;44(10):2305-2311.
Published online October 1, 2003.

Bacteriology and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Infants.

Department of Ophthalmology, Pundang CHA Hospital, Pochun CHA University College of Medicine, Sungnam, Korea. eye@cha.ac.kr

영아기 급성 세균성 결막염의 원인균과 항생제 감수성

이호선 ( Lee Ho Seon ) , 유혜린 ( Yu Hye Lin ) , 윤영수 ( Yun Yeong Su )

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the causative microorganisms and the most effective antibiotics in conjunctivitis of infants according to the delivery methods, prophylactic antibiotics, epiphora and neonatal care places. METHODS: 51 consecutive infants aged less than 1 year-old, presented to the hospital from March 2001 to March 2003 with a sign of conjunctivitis, were examined. We analyzed ocular symptoms, symptom duration, delivery method, neonatal care places, and prophylactic antibiotics of the infants. Culture from the conjunctiva and conjunctival discharge, and antibiotic sensitivity test for the detection of microorganisms were done. RESULTS: Organisms were isolated from 37 (72.5%) of 51 patients. Common causative organisms were S. aureus (25.9%), S. pneumoniae (9.3%) and H. influenzae (9.5%). The most effective antibiotic for Gram(+) as well as Gram (-) bacteria was found to be ciprofloxacin in this study. Bacterial distribution showed no difference regardless of the symptoms, symptom duration, delivery method, neonatal care places, and prophylactic antibiotics in patients less than 6month-old (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against the causative organisms in infantile conjunctivitis.

Key Words: Antibiotic sensitivity;Conjunctivitis;Culture;Infant