Effects of topical azithromycin, moxifloxacin, and povidone iodine on conjunctival bacterial flora in patients undergoing intravitreal injection / Os efeitos da azitromicina tópica, moxifloxacina e iodopovidona na flora bacteriana conjuntival em injeções intravítreas

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare effects of 5% topical povidone iodine with prophylactic topical azithromycin and moxifloxacin on bacterial flora in patients undergoing intravitreal injection. Methods: A total of 132 patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with azithromycin or moxifloxacin, or no treatment (control group). In total, 528 specimens were obtained at the time of admission, 4 days before intravitreal injection, 4 days after intravitreal injection, and 8 days after intravitreal injection. Samples were immediately sent to the microbiology laboratory for incubation. Results: The microorganism observed most frequently was coagulasenegative Staphylococcus (23.8%). When the results of samples obtained on Day 4 before injection were assessed, growth of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was significantly lower in the moxifloxacin group, compared with controls (p=0.049). Acinetobacter baumannii continued to grow after administration of azithromycin (p=0.033). When the results of four days after intravitreal injection were evaluated, growth of coagulase-ne gative Staphylococcus was higher in controls, compared with patients who received azithromycin or moxifloxacin (p=0.004). Eradication rate was significantly higher in the moxifloxacin group than in the control group (p=0.001). Samples obtained on Day 8 after intravitreal injection showed similar levels of bacterial growth in all groups (p=0.217). Conclusion: Moxifloxacin was more effective than 5% povidone iodine in controlling the growth of conjunctival bacterial flora. Use of moxifloxacin in combination with 5% povidone iodine resulted in a synergistic effect.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos de iodopovidona tópico a 5% com azitromicina e moxifloxacina profiláticas sobre a flora bacteriana em pacientes submetidos à injeção intravítrea. Métodos: Um total de 132 pacientes foram aleatoriamente designados para receber tratamento com azitromicina ou moxifloxacina ou nenhum tratamento (grupo controle). No total, 528 amostras foram obtidas no momento na admissão, 4 dias antes da injeção intravítrea, 4 dias após a injeção intravítrea e 8 dias após a injeção intravítrea. As amostras foram imediatamente enviadas para o laboratório de microbiologia para incubação. Resultados: O microorganismo mais frequentemente observado foi o Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo (23,8%). Quando os resultados das amostras obtidas no dia 4 antes da injeção foram avaliados, o crescimento do Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo foi significativamente menor no grupo mo xifloxacina, em comparação com os controles (p=0,049). Acinetobacter baumannii continuou a crescer após a administração de azitromicina (p=0,033). Quando os resultados de 4 dias após a injeção intravítrea foram avaliados, o crescimento do Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo foi maior no controle, em comparação com pacientes que receberam azitromicina ou moxifloxacina (p=0,004). A taxa de erradicação também foi significativamente maior no grupo moxifloxacina do que no grupo controle (p=0,001). As amostras obtidas no dia 8 após injeção intravítrea mostraram níveis semelhantes de crescimento bacteriano em todos os grupos (p=0,217). Conclusão: A moxifloxacina foi mais eficaz do que 5% de iodopovidona no controle do crescimento da flora bacteriana conjuntival. O uso de moxifloxacina em combinação com 5% de iodopovidona resultou em um efeito sinérgico.

Changes in the conjunctival bacterial flora of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit / Mudanças na flora bacteriana conjuntival de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva

ABSTRACT Purpose: To identify the changes in aerobic conjunctival bacterial flora and to correlate culture results with physical health and the duration of patients' hospitalization in an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Patients hospitalized in the ICU were included in this study. Conjunctival cultures from all patients were obtained using a standard technique on days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Swabs were plated on nonselective (blood agar) and enriched (chocolate agar) media within one hour. Visible colonies were isolated, and standard microbiological techniques were used to identify the bacteria. The frequency, identity, and correlation of culture results with patients' physical findings and the duration of hospitalization were determined. Results: We obtained 478 cultures (day 1, 270; day 3, 156; day 7, 36; and day 14, 16) from 135 patients; 288 (60.2%) cultures were positive, and 331 microorganisms were isolated. The most frequently isolated microorganism from the cultures was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (n=210/331, 63.5%), and the others were Corynebacterium diphtheriae (n=52/331, 15.7%), S. aureus (n=26/331, 7.9%), gram-negative bacilli other than Pseudomonas (n=14/331, 4.2%), Neisseria species (n=8/331, 2.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6/331, 1.8%), Haemophilus influenzae (n=7/331, 2.1%), Acinetobacter species (n=6/331, 1.8%), and Streptococcus species (n=2/331, 0.6%). The frequency of positive cultures significantly increased (p<0.03) with time. Conclusions: Prolonged hospitalization significantly predisposes to bacterial colonization. The colonization rate of S. aureus and Neisseria spp. increased significantly after one week.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar as mudanças na flora bacteriana aeróbia da conjuntiva e correlacionar os resultados da cultura com o estado de saúde física e a duração da hospitalização em pacientes em uma unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Método: Pacientes que estavam na UTI foram incluídos neste estudo. Culturas conjuntivais foram obtidas nos dias 1, 3, 7 e 14 de todos os pacientes com uma técnica normalizada. Zaragatoas foram semeadas em placas não seletivas (ágar sangue) e enriquecidas (ágar chocolate) dentro de uma hora. Colônias visíveis foram separadas, isoladas, e identificadas utilizando técnicas microbiológicas convencionais. A frequência, identificação e correlação da cultura resulta com achados físicos e a duração da hospitalização foram determinados. Resultados: Um total de 478 culturas (no primeiro dia 270, terceiro dia 156, sétimo dia 36 e dia catorze 16 culturas) foram obtidas de 135 pacientes hospitalizados durante o estudo. Duzentos e oitenta e oito (60,2% de todas as culturas obtidas) culturas foram positivas. Trezentos e trinta e um microrganismos foram isolados a partir dessas culturas. Em todos os grupos, o microrganismo mais frequentemente isolado foi o Staphylococcus species coagulase negativo (n=210/331, 63,5% de todos os microrganismos isolados). Outras bactérias isoladas foram Corynebacterium diphteriae (n=52/331, 15,7%), Staphylococcus aureus (n=26/331, 7,9%), bacilos Gram-negativos que não sejam Pseudomonas (n=14/331, 4,2%), Neisseria species (n=8/331, 2,4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6/331, 1,8%), Haemophilus influenzae (n=7/331, 2,1%), Acinetobacter species (n=6/331, 1,8%), e Streptococcus species (n=2/331, 0,6%). Como o tempo de hospitalização prolongada, a positividade em culturas aumentou significativamente (p<0,03). Conclusões: hospitalização prolongada predispõe significativamente a frequência de colonização bacteriana. A taxa de colonização de S. aureus e Neisseria spp. aumentou significativamente depois de uma semana.

Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis associated with ocular lesion in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract: A 59-year-old female patient, previously healthy, immunocompetent, presented left bulbar conjunctiva lesions and nodular-ulcerated lesions on the arms and cervical region, besides left cervical and retroauricular lymphadenopathy. She had previous contact with domestic cats that excoriated her face. The diagnosis was conclusive of disseminated sporotrichosis through clinical and epidemiological history and cultures of skin and ocular secretions. It evolved with good response to oral antifungal therapy.

Bacteriological profile in conjunctival, lacrimal sac, and nasal specimens and conjunctival normalization time following external, endoscopic, and transcanalicular multidiode laser dacryocystorhinostomy / Perfil bacteriológico e tempo de normalização conjuntival de espécimes de conjuntiva, saco lacrimal e nasais após dacriocistorrinostomia externa, endoscópica e transcanalicular com laser de multi diodo

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the conjunctival, lacrimal sac, and nasal flora cultures and conjunctival normalization time following external (EX-), endoscopic (EN-), and transcanalicular multidiode laser (TC-) dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and to evaluate the relationship between culture positivity and surgical success. We further performed antibiotic sensitivity analyses for lacrimal sac culture samples. Methods: A total of 90 patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were recruited and divided into EX-DCR (n=32), EN-DCR (n=28), and TC-DCR (n=30) groups. Conjunctival, nasal, and lacrimal sac cultures and antibiograms were analyzed. Results: In all three groups, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) was predominantly isolated preoperatively from the conjunctiva, nose, and lacrimal sac and postoperatively from the conjunctiva. Preoperative and postoperative conjunctival culture positivity rates were similar between all the groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference in the growth rate of culture in the lacrimal sac was observed between the three groups (p=0.001). CNS and Staphylococcus aureus cultures were predominantly sensitive to linezolid, teicoplanin, tigecycline, vancomycin, and mupirocin. Conjunctival normalization times were similar between the three groups (p>0.05). Anatomical and functional success rates were not found to be significantly correlated with preoperative conjunctival and lacrimal sac culture positivity (p>0.05). Conclusions: Similar rates of preoperative and 1-week postoperative conjunctival culture positivity were observed in all the groups; a significantly lower bacterial growth rate was observed in postoperative conjunctival cultures. CNS was the most commonly isolated organism. Bacterial growth rates in the lacrimal sac samples were significantly higher in the EN-DCR group. Bacterial growth rates obtained preoperatively from the conjunctival and lacrimal sac culture samples were not correlated with DCR success.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a flora conjuntival, do saco lacrimal e nasal com o tempo de normalização após dacriocistorrinostomia (DCR) externa (EX-), endoscópica (EN-) e transcanalicular a laser de multi diodo (TC-) para correlacionar a positividade da cultura com o sucesso cirúrgico, assim como identificar a sensibilidade aos antibióticos em amostras de saco lacrimal. Métodos: Neste estudo prospectivo, 90 pacientes com obstrução do canal nasolacrimal adquirida primária foram incluídos e divididos em grupos EX-DCR (n=32), EN-DCR (n=28) e TC-DCR (n=30). Culturas e antibiogramas conjuntivais, nasais e do saco lacrimal foram analisados. Resultados: Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo (CNS) foi o organismo predominante isolado no pré-operatório (conjuntiva e nariz), no transoperatório (saco lacrimal) e pós-operatório (conjuntiva), nos 3 grupos. Taxas de positividade de cultura da conjuntiva pré- e pós-operatórias nos três grupos foram semelhantes (p>0,05). A diferença nas taxas de crescimento do saco lacrimal dos três grupos foi estatisticamente significativa (p=0,001). CNS e S. aureus foram mais sensíveis a linezolida, teicoplanina, a tigeciclina, vancomicina e mupirocina. O tempo de normalização conjuntival foi semelhante nos três grupos (p>0,05). Não houve relação estatisticamente significativa entre as taxas de sucesso anatômicas e funcionais e a positividade da cultura conjuntival e de saco lacrimal pré-operatória (p>0,05). Conclusões: Pacientes submetidos a EX-DCR, EN-DCR, e TC-DCR apresentaram positividades de cultura conjuntival semelhantes no pré-operatório e na 1a semana pós-operatória. Houve uma redução significativa na taxa de crescimento das culturas da conjuntiva pós-operatórias. O organismo mais comumente isolado foi o CNS. A taxa de crescimento de bactérias a partir do saco lacrimal foi significativamente maior no grupo PT-DCR. O crescimento bacteriano da conjuntiva no pré-operatório e de amostras do saco lacrimal no transoperatório não se relacionaram com o sucesso da DCR.

Microbiota conjuntival en el preoperatorio de pacientes que se someterán a cirugía de cataratas / Microbial flora isolated from patient's conjunctiva previous to cataract surgery

Background. Endophtalmitis post cataract surgery is one of most feared and devastating complications resulting in serious consequences and an uncertain visual prognosis. Antimicrobial prophylaxis against endophtalmitis must be based on the best knowledge of conjuntival microbiota. Objective: To establish microbiological basis for the best antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis in cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study. A preoperative conjunctival sample was taken from the lower fornix of 118 pacients, sowing it immediately in culture media. Identification of growing colonies and susceptibility testing were performed by manual or automated methods. Results: 106 (89.8%) of 118 preoperative cultures were positive. 159 bacteria were isolated in single or mixed flora, with 95% of Gram positive organisms. Staphylococci represented 76.1% of isolated bacteria, with 82.6% of coagulase-negative staphylococci (SCN) and 17.4% of Staphylococcus aureus. Forty two percent of SCN and 38% of S. aureus were methicillin resistan; both groups showed high susceptibility to tobramycin and fourth-generation fluoroquinolones. Conclusions: we recommend the use of topical tobramycin as pre-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis associated with povidone-iodine antisepsis. A fourth-generation quinolone is recommended when there is risk of infection.

Introducción: La endoftalmitis post-cirugía de cataratas es una de las complicaciones post-operatorias más temidas y devastadoras, pudiendo ocasionar secuelas graves, con un pronóstico visual incierto. La profilaxis antimicrobiana de esta complicación debe basarse en el conocimiento acabado de la microbiota presente en el territorio conjuntival. Objetivo: Establecer bases microbiológicas para una mejor profilaxis antimicrobiana de la endoftalmitis en cirugía de cataratas. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, prospectivo. A 118 pacientes se les tomó muestra conjuntival pre-operatoria del fondo de saco inferior, sembrándola de inmediato en medios de cultivo. Las colonias desarrolladas se identificaron por métodos manuales y método de microdilución y difusión en disco. Resultados: De 118 cultivos pre-operatorios, 106 (89,8%) desarrollaron colonias bacterianas. Se aislaron 159 bacterias conjuntivales como especie única o cultivo mixta, siendo 95% grampositivas. El género Staphylococcus representó 76,1% del total de bacterias aisladas, siendo 82,6% Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (SCN) y 17,4% Staphylococcus aureus. El 42% de los SCN y 38% de S. aureus presentaron resistencia a meticilina, presentando ambos buena susceptibilidad a tobramicina y fluoroquinolonas de cuarta generación. Conclusiones: Considerando nuestros resultados, recomendaríamos a nuestros pacientes tobramicina tópica como antibioprofilaxis, asociada a povidona yodada como antiséptico. Una quinolona de cuarta generación podría usarse cuando existan factores de riesgo de infección.

Gatifloxacin and iodopovidine preoperatively of phacectomy: influence on counting bacterial colonies / Gatifloxacino e iodopovidine no pré-operatório de facectomia: influência na contagem de colônias bacterianas

Objective: To analyze two methods of reducing conjunctivalmicrobiota in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods: A clinical trial with a convenience sample of 57 patients diagnosed with senile cataract (57 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in Recife from 2011 to 2013. Patients were divided into two groups: ATB (27 eyes) in which was instilled antibiotic eye drops (gatifloxacin 0.3%) and ASS (30 eyes) with antiseptic eye drops (iodopovidine 5%); both medications were instilled three times (one drop every 20 minutes, an hour prior to surgery). The groups were evaluated from two collections of conjunctival material: first before instilling some eye drops and the second one immediately after surgery. Gram stain, culture and sensitivity were performed. Results: Comparing the reduction in the number of bacteria found in the slides in the pre-and postoperative, there was no statistically significant difference in both groups. Conclusions: Both use of antiseptic or antibiotic, used as prophylaxis forendophthalmitis, can reduce the conjunctivalmicrobiota.

Objetivo: Analisar dois método de redução da microbiota conjuntival em indivíduos submetidos à facectomia. Métodos: Ensaio clínico, com amostra de conveniência de 57 pacientes, com diagnóstico de catarata senil (57 olhos), submetidos à facoemulsificação com implante de lente intraocular em Recife entre 2011 a 2013. Os pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos: ATB (27 olhos) no qual foi instilado colírio antibiótico (gatifloxacino a 0,3%) e ASS (30 olhos) colírio antisséptico (iodopovidine a 5%), ambas as medicações foram instiladas três vezes (uma gota a cada 20 minutos, uma hora previamente à cirurgia). Os grupos foram avaliados a partir de duas coletas de material conjuntival: a primeira antes de instilar algum colírio e a segunda imediatamente após a cirurgia. Foi realizada bacterioscopia, cultura e antibiograma. Resultados: Comparando-se a redução no número de bactérias encontrado nas lâminas no pré e pós-operatório, não se verificou diferença estatística significativa nos dois grupos. Conclusão: Tanto o uso do antisséptico como do antibiótico usados como profiláticos para a endoftalmite reduzem a microbiota conjuntival.

Aerobic bacterial microbiota of the conjunctiva in diabetic patients with normal and altered glycated hemoglobin levels in two regions in Brazil / Microbiota bacteriana aeróbica conjuntival em pacientes diabéticos com hemoglobina glicada normal e alterada em duas regiões brasileiras

Purpose: To study the aerobic bacterial microbiota of the conjunctiva in diabetic patients with regard to the management of diabetes, assessed using glycated hemoglobin levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using conjunctival smears of diabetic patients from both sexes and with different ages, residing in two different Brazilian cities (Sorocaba and Rio Branco). A control group of non-diabetic patients was also included. The diabetic patients were considered to have controlled diabetes when their glycated hemoglobin level was ≤7% and blood glucose level was ≤126 mg/dL. Patients with non-controlled diabetes were those with glycated hemoglobin levels >7% and blood glucose levels >126 mg/dL. The samples obtained were inoculated in Brain-Heart Infusion broth and in culture media for aerobic bacteria (blood and chocolate agars); bacterial growth was evaluated in a microbiology laboratory. Results: A total of 120 eyes of 120 patients were included in the present study. The percentage of cultures in which bacterial growth was observed was greater in diabetic patients, although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.103). There was a greater trend toward bacterial growth in the conjunctiva of diabetic patients with altered fasting blood glucose. There was no difference in the frequency of bacterial growth on the conjunctiva between diabetic patients with normal or altered glycated hemoglobin levels. In Sorocaba, conjunctival bacterial growth was similar to that observed in Rio Branco. The microorganism most frequently detected in the present study was Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. Conclusion: There was no difference between diabetic patients with normal or altered glycated hemoglobin levels. The microorganisms found were similar to those found in studies investigating the conjunctival bacterial flora of diabetic and non-diabetic ...

Objetivo: Estudar a microbiota conjuntival bacteriana aeróbica dos pacientes diabéticos em relação ao controle glicêmico, verificado através da hemoglobina glicada, em duas cidades distintas. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal utilizando raspados de conjuntiva de indivíduos diabéticos de ambos os sexos e idades variáveis de duas cidades: Sorocaba e Rio Branco. O grupo controle foi constituído de pacientes não diabéticos. A amostra foi constituída de pacientes diabéticos que foram considerados controlados com hemoglobina glicada ≤7% e glicemia de jejum ≤126 mg/dl e não controlados com hemoglobina glicada >7% e glicemia de jejum >126 mg/dl. O material obtido foi semeado em meio líquido Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) e em meios de cultivo para bactérias aeróbicas (ágar sangue e ágar chocolate). O crescimento bacteriano foi avaliado em laboratório de microbiologia. Resultados: Foram incluídos 120 olhos de 120 pacientes. A porcentagem de culturas nas quais houve crescimento bacteriano foi maior em pacientes diabéticos, sendo a diferença não estatisticamente significante (p=0,103). Não houve diferença entre o crescimento bacteriano em pacientes com hemoglobina glicada normal e alterada. Houve uma tendência maior de crescimento bacteriano em conjuntivas de pacientes diabéticos com glicemias de jejum elevada. Em Sorocaba houve crescimento bacteriano conjuntival semelhante a Rio Branco. O microrganismo mais frequente encontrado neste estudo foi Staphylococcus epidermidis, seguido de Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis e Escherichia coli. Conclusões: Não ocorreu diferença entre pacientes diabéticos com hemoglobina glicada normal e alterada. Os microrganismos encontrados foram semelhantes aos estudos da flora bacteriana de conjuntivas normais e de diabéticos. .

Evaluation of conjunctival bacterial flora in patients with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To determine the conjunctival bacterial flora present in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. METHODS: A prospective study of the conjunctival bacterial flora was performed in 41 eyes of 22 patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The information gathered included the patient's sex and age, the duration of disease, the cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and treatments. Scrapings of the inferior conjunctival fornix were performed in both eyes. Fourteen days before scraping, the patients were asked to interrupt all topical medication and start using 0.5% nonpreserved methylcellulose. The microbiological evaluation included microorganism identification and determination of antibiotic sensitivity. RESULTS: Of 22 patients (41 eyes), 14 (64%) were females, and eight (36%) were males. The mean age was 33.2 years, and the mean duration of disease was 15.6 years. Visual acuity ranged from light perception to 20/25 (1.57 logMar). The treatment received by most patients consisted of tear substitutes, topical antibiotics, and contact lenses. Bacterial identification was positive in 39 eyes (95%) and negative in two eyes (5%). Gram-positive cocci accounted for 55.5% of the microorganisms, whereas gram-positive bacilli and gram-negative bacilli accounted for 19% and 25.5%, respectively. Half of the patients (54%) had multiple bacterial species in their flora, and only one bacterial species was identified in the other half. Resistant bacteria were isolated from four eyes. The antibiotic sensitivity results for the Streptococcus group showed the lowest sensitivity and the highest microbial resistance identified. CONCLUSION: Patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome have a diverse conjunctival flora that includes many pathogenic species. .

Conjunctivitis in the newborn- A comparative study.

Background: Conjunctivitis of the newborn is defined as hyperemia and eye discharge in the neonates and is a common infection occurring in the neonates in the first month of life. In the United States, the incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis ranges from 1-2%, in India, the prevalence is 0.5-33% and varies in the world from 0.9-21% depending on the socioeconomic status. Aim: To study the organisms causing conjunctivitis of the newborn and to correlate the etiology with the mode of delivery. Design: Single center, prospective, observational study. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 mothers and their newborns, born over a period of one year, were included in the study. Of these 200 newborns were delivered through vaginal route (Group A) and 100 (Group B) delivered by lower segment caesarean section (LSCS). At the time of labour, high vaginal swabs were taken from the mothers. Two conjunctival swabs each from both eyes of the newborn were collected at birth and transported to Microbiology department in a candle jar immediately. Results: Eight babies in Group A, developed conjunctivitis at birth. None of the babies in Group B developed conjunctivitis, this difference was statistically highly significant (P<0.000). The organisms found in the conjunctiva of the newborns in Group A were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, α hemolytic Streptococcus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spps. However, the commonest organism leading to conjunctivitis in the newborn in this study was Coagulase negative Staphylococcus. It was observed that the mothers of 5 out of 8 babies (60%) developing conjunctivitis gave history of midwife interference and premature rupture of membranes so the presence of risk factors contribute to the occurrence of conjunctivitis in the newborn. Conclusions: It is inferred that the mode of delivery and the presence of risk factors is responsible for conjunctivitis in the newborn.

Microbiota bacteriana da conjuntiva no pré-operatório de injeção intravítrea de antiangiogênico por degeneração macular relacionada à idade comparada com a de cirurgia de catarata / Preoperative conjunctival bacterial microbiota of antiangiogenic intravitreous injection for age-related macular degeneration compared to cataract surgery preoperative microbiota

Objetivo: Avaliar a microbiota bacteriana da conjuntiva e perfil de antibiograma no pré-operatório de injeção intravítrea de antiangiogênico por degeneração macular relacionada à idade, comparando com a de pacientes no pré-operatório de cirurgia de catarata. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo transversal, observacional, tipo série de casos. Foram constituídos dois grupos: grupo I (degeneração macular) com 26 olhos de 26 pacientes (12 homens/14 mulheres) com média de idades de 69,2 ± 11,5 anos; grupo II (catarata) com 27 olhos de 27 pacientes (9 homens/18 mulheres) com média de idades de 67,6 ± 7,9 anos. Os grupos foram homogêneos em relação à idade (p=0,538) e ao sexo (p=0,787). Foi realizada coleta de secreção do fundo de saco inferior da conjuntiva, através de "swab", e imediatamente colocado em tubo contendo meio líquido BHI ("brain heart infusion"). As amostras foram processadas conforme técnicas laboratoriais padrão e realizado antibiograma de cada colônia isolada. Resultados: Houve crescimento de 26 colônias bacterianas no grupo I, com 2 olhos não apresentando crescimento e 30 colônias no grupo II. Houve maior frequência de bactérias Gram positivas nos dois grupos: 23/26 colônias (88,4 por cento) no grupo I e 29/30 colônias (96,7 por cento) no grupo II, com predomínio de Staphylococcus aureus em ambos os grupos, com 16 amostras (61,5 por cento) e 17 (56,7 por cento), respectivamente. Staphylococcus coagulase negativa foi a segunda bactéria mais identificada, com 19,2 por cento no grupo I e 20,0 por cento no grupo II. Nenhuma diferença de frequência entre os grupos alcançou significância estatística. Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante nas sensibilidades das bactérias aos antibióticos testados entre os dois grupos. Conclusões: Não houve diferença na distribuição das bactérias e no perfil de antibiograma da microbiota conjuntival de pacientes no pré-operatório de injeção intravítrea por degeneração macular, comparada ...

Purpose: To evaluate the conjunctival bacterial microbiota and antibiogram profile in the preoperative of antiangiogenic intravitreous injection for age-related macular degeneration, and compare to the preoperative microbiota of patients submitted to cataract surgery. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational, case series study. Two groups were organized: group I (macular degeneration) with 26 eyes from 26 patients (12 men/14 women) with mean age of 69.2 ± 11.5 years; group II (cataract) with 27 eyes from 27 patients (9 men/18 women) with mean age of 67.6 ± 7.9 years. The groups were similar regarding age (p=0.538) and gender (p=0.787). The lower conjunctival sac was swabbed and the obtained material was immediately put in a tube filled with liquid culture media BHI ("brain heart infusion"). Samples were processed according to standard laboratory techniques and antibiogram was determined for each bacterial colony. Results: Twenty-six bacterial colonies growth in group I, with 2 eyes showing no growth and 30 colonies growth in group II. Gram positive bacteria were more prevalent in both groups: 23/26 colonies (88.4 percent) in group I and 29/30 colonies (96.7 percent) in group II, with a Staphylococcus aureus predominance in both groups, with 16 samples (61.5 percent) and 17 (56.7 percent), respectively. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the second most common identified bacteria, with 19.2 percent in group I and 20.0 percent in group II. No differences between the groups reached statistical significance. No statistically significant difference was noted on the antibiotic sensibility between both groups. Conclusions: There was no difference in the distribution of bacteria and antibiogram profile of the conjunctival microbiota in the preoperative of intravitreous injection of antiangiogenic for macular degeneration compared to the preoperative of cataract surgery.

A prospective study demonstrating the effect of 5 percent povidone-iodine application for anterior segment intraocular surgery in Paraguay / Estudio prospectivo demostrando el efecto de la instilación de yodo povidona al 5 por ciento previo a cirugía de segmento anterior en Paraguay

PURPOSE: To determine the conjunctival bacterial flora in cataract surgery patients and the effect of presurgical irrigation with 5 percent povidone-iodine solution. METHODS: Three samples from the inferior conjunctival fornix of the eye to be operated were obtained at baseline before washing (T0) with 10 ml 5 percent povidone-iodine solution, immediately after washing (T1), and upon completion of surgery (T2). Bacteria from the samples were inoculated in blood agar, chocolate agar, and thioglycolate broth. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients (n=224 eyes) with a mean age of 67 ± 13 years were included in the study. Bacteria from the (T0) samples were successfully grown in 73.2 percent of the thioglycolate agars, 21.0 percent of the blood agars, and 19.2 percent of the chocolate agars. Compared with T1 samples, the use of povidone-iodine wash translated into a 60.8 percent reduction (from 73.2 percent to 12.5 percent) in colonization of the conjunctiva (p<0.001), while no significant difference was found between the T1 and T2 samples. Conclusion: Conjunctival irrigation with a 5 percent povidone-iodine solution effectively reduces conjunctival flora and is therefore strongly recommended as a means of preventing postsurgical endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la flora bacteriana de la conjuntiva en los pacientes a ser sometidos a cirugía de catarata y el efecto del lavado prequirúrgico con yodo povidona al 5 por ciento sobre dichos microorganismos. MÉTODOS: Se tomaron 3 muestras del fondo de saco conjuntival del ojo a ser operado de catarata antes (T0) de la irrigación de la conjuntiva con 10 ml de yodo povidona al 5 por ciento, como control, inmediatamente después (T1) y al término de la cirugía (T2). Se realizaron cultivos en agar sangre, agar chocolate y en caldo de tioglicolato. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron en el estudio 221 pacientes (n=24 ojos) con un promedio de edad de 67 ± 13 años. El porcentaje de crecimiento bacteriano en (T0) fue de 73,2 por ciento en tioglicolato, 21 por ciento en agar sangre y 19,2 por ciento en agar chocolate. Al compararlo con (T1) el efecto de la yodo povidona se tradujo en una reducción del 60,8 por ciento (de 73,2 por ciento a 12,5 por ciento) en la colonización conjuntival (p<0.001). Entre las muestras de los tiempos T1 y T2 no hubo diferencia significativa en cuanto al crecimiento bacteriano. CONCLUSIÓN: El lavado conjuntival con yodo povidona al 5 por ciento reduce de forma efectiva la flora conjuntival por lo cual se recomienda fuertemente como método preoperatorio, como una de las medidas preventivas de la endoftalmitis posquirúrgica en cirugías de catarata.

Flora conjuntival y sensibilidad antibiótica en pacientes a ser sometidos a cirugía de catarata y LASIK / Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial conjunctival flora isolated from patients undergoing LASIK and cataract surgery

Objetivo: Conocer y proveer de evidencia acerca de la sensibilidad de la flora bacteriana normal de la superficie ocular aislada en dos diferentes grupos sociales y etáreos de pacientes prontos a someterse a cirugía de Catarata y LASIK en nuestro país. Materiales y Métodos: Se cultivaron muestran conjuntivales de 221 pacientes previo a LASIK y de 180 pacientes de un grupo de Cataratas. De haber un cultivo positivo se realizó aislamiento e identificación bacteriana utilizando la técnica de difusión en disco de Kirby-Bauer para doce antibióticos. El análisis estadístico se hizo con chi-cuadrado y el test exacto de Fisher. Resultados: Hubo 66,8 por ciento de cultivos positivos, más frecuentemente gran positivos. SCN fue el aislado en mayor porcentaje (92,2 por ciento) y mostró una alta sensibilidad a Cloramfenicol, Tobramicina, Moxifloxacino y Gatifloxacino, intermedia para Levofloxacino, Gentamicina y Ciprofloxacino y menor para Eritromicina, Oxacilina, Cefalotina y Ceftriaxona (p<0,01). Todos los cultivos fueron sensibles a Vancomicina. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre ambos grupos. Conclusiones: 1. Por primera vez nuestros resultados muestran que la flora y sensibilidad antibiótica son similares en pacientes a ser sometidos a LASIK y Catarata, siendo los SCN los más frecuentemente encontrados en ambos grupos de pacientes. 2. Las bacterias más comúnmente aisladas permanecen altamente sensibles a Cloramfenicol, Tobramicina, Moxifloxacino y Gatifloxacino.

Purpose: To know and provide a background on antibiotic susceptibility of normal ocular surface bacterial flora isolated from two different social and age groups of patients undergoing LASIK and cataract surgery in our country. Material and Methods: Conjunctival samples of 221 patients in a LASIK group and 180 patients in a cataract surgery group were cultivated. When there were a positive cultures, isolation and identification of the bacteria were made and antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out, using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique for twelve antibiotics. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and exact Fisher test. Results: There were 66.8 percent of positive cultures, most of them gram positives. The most frequently isolated bacteria were the CNS (92,2 percent) that showed high sensitivity for Chloramphenicol, Tobramycin, Moxifloxacin and Gatifloxacin, intermedia for Levofloxacin, Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin and lowest for Erytomycin, Oxacillin, Cefalotin and Ceftriaxone (p<0,01). All the cultures were susceptible to Vancomycin. There was not statistically difference between LASIK and cataract group. Conclusions: 1. For the first time, our results have shown that the conjunctival flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics are similar in the conjunctival flora of the patients undergoing LASIK surgery and Cataract, being CNS the bacterium most frequently found in both different groups of patients. 2. The most frequently isolated conjunctival bacteria remained highly sensitive to Chloramphenicol, Tobramycin, Moxifloxacin and Gatifloxacin.

Avaliação da microbiota ocular em pacientes com disfunção do filme lacrimal / Evaluation of conjunctival flora in patients with tear film dysfunction

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a microbiota conjuntival em olhos com disfunção do filme lacrimal, e a modificação desta microbiota após a colocação de plug de silicone no canalículo inferior. MÉTODOS: Série de casos intervencionais não comparativos para avaliar 68 olhos de 41 pacientes com disfunção do filme lacrimal, durante o período de 2002 a 2007, na Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à colheita de amostras de raspado conjuntival de fundo-de-saco inferior para cultivo em Brain heart infusion broth. Os vinte e dois pacientes submetidos à colocação de plug de silicone repetiram a colheita de raspado conjuntival um mês após o procedimento. RESULTADOS: Dos 68 olhos avaliados, 47 apresentaram crescimento bacteriano nas amostras colhidas. Nove diferentes espécies de bactérias foram identificadas: Staphylococcus coagulase negativa em 66,66 por cento, Staphylococcus aureus em 13,72 por cento, Corynebacterium sp em 5,86 por cento, Enterobacter aerogenes em 3,92 por cento, Streptococcus hemolítico do grupo viridans em 1,96 por cento, Serratia sp em 1,96 por cento, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans spp em 1,96 por cento, Corynebacterium xerosis em 1,96 por cento, e Proteus mirabilis em 1,96 por cento. Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (SCN) foi o microrganismo mais frequentemente isolado tanto antes quanto após o plug de silicone. A sensibilidade do SCN à Oxacilina antes da colocação do plug era de 87,50 por cento, e, após, de 73,68 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: A microbiota em olhos com disfunção do filme lacrimal é bastante semelhante à encontrada em olhos normais. A resistência de SCN à Oxacilina foi um pouco maior após o implante do plug de silicone.

PURPOSE: To evaluate conjunctival microbiota in eyes with tear film dysfunction and its modification after punctal occlusion with silicone plug. METHODS: Non comparative interventional case series study to evaluate 68 eyes of 41 patients with tear film dysfunction, from 2002 to 2007, followed in Federal University of Sao Paulo. Samples for culture were all obtained from conjunctival swabs and inoculated in Brain heart infusion broth (BHI broth). Twenty two patients that undergone punctal plug occlusion repeated culture procedure one month after plug insertion. RESULTS: 47 of the 68 eyes evaluated had positive culture in their samples. Nine different types of bacteria were identified: Coagulase negative Staphylococcus in 66,66 percent, Staphylococcus aureus, in 13,72 percent, Corynebacterium sp, in 5,86 percent, Enterobacter aerogenes, in 3,92 percent, Streptococcus hemolítico do grupo viridans, in 1,96 percent, Serratia sp, in 1,96 percent, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans spp, in 1,96 percent, Corynebacterium xerosis, in 1,96 percent, and Proteus mirabilis in 1,96 percent. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) was the most frequently isolated microorganism before and after punctal occlusion. CNS sensibility to Oxacilin before plug insertion was 87,50 percent, and after, 73,68 percent. CONCLUSION: Microbiota found in eyes with tear film dysfunction seems to be similar to that found in normal eyes. CNS resistance to oxacilin was slightly higher after silicone plug insertion.

Microbiota conjuntival e resistência a antibióticos em recém-nascidos prematuros internados em unidade de terapia intensiva / Conjunctival microbiota and antibiotics resistance in preterm newborns hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit

OBJETIVO: Analisar a flora bacteriana da conjuntiva e o padrão de resistência a antibióticos em crianças recém-nascidas prematuras na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas amostras de secreção conjuntival de 48 recém-nascidos com permanência de pelo menos 48 horas na UTIN. RESULTADOS: Das 48 amostras 40 (83,3 por cento) apresentaram cultura positiva, com maior frequência de Staphyloccocus coagulase-negativo (43,2 por cento) e Staphyloccocus aureus (25,0 por cento). Foram consideradas multirresistentes 63,9 por cento das bactérias. Os antibióticos com maior sensibilidade no antibiograma foram gatifloxacino (97,2 por cento), vancomicina (94,4 por cento) e ofloxacino (94,4 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: A flora bacteriana da conjuntiva de prematuros na UTIN é diversificada, predominando as bactérias Gram-positivas, geralmente multirresistente a antibióticos.

PURPOSE: To analyze the conjunctival bacterial flora and the antibiotics resistance pattern in preterm newborns at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), in "Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE". METHODS: Material from the conjunctival sac was obtained from 48 premature infants eyes that stayed at in NICU more than 48 hours. RESULTS: Culture analysis revealed that 40 (83.3 percent) were positive and the pathogens most commonly isolated included Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (43.2 percent) and Staphylococcus aureus (25.0 percent), being 63.9 percent of the bacteria multiresistant. Antimicrobial test results demonstrated great sensitivity to gatifloxacin (97.2 percent), vancomycin (94.4 percent) and ofloxacin (94.4 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival bacterial flora among newborns in NICU is varied, mainly Gram-positive, usually multiresistant to antibiotics.

Flora bacteriana conjuntival após uso tópico de ciprofloxacino e gatifloxacino em cirurgia de catarata / Conjunctival bacterial flora after topical use of ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin in cataract surgery

OBJETIVO: Avaliar alterações da flora conjuntival após uso dos colírios de ciprofloxacino e gatifloxacino 0,3 por cento na profilaxia dos pacientes submetidos à facectomia. MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes submetidos a facectomia foram alocados em dois grupos, conforme o colírio antibiótico utilizado: Grupo A: ciprofloxacino 0,3 por cento e Grupo B: gatifloxacino 0,3 por cento. Os pacientes usaram os colírios 1 hora antes da cirurgia e nos primeiros 14 dias pós-operatórios. Foi coletado material da conjuntiva em cinco momentos: 1 hora antes da cirurgia, sem medicações tópicas (t0); imediatamente antes da aplicação de iodopovidona (PVPI) (t1), antes do início da cirurgia, após iodopovidona (t2), 14 dias após a cirurgia (t3) e 28 dias após a cirurgia (t4). RESULTADOS: O uso de antibióticos no pré-operatório diminuiu a positividade das culturas anteriores ao uso do iodopovidona em ambos os grupos; no Grupo A esta redução não alcançou significância estatística (Grupo A - p=0,07 e Grupo B - p=0,04). A positividade das culturas foi reduzida nos dois grupos após aplicação de iodopovidona e 14 dias após a cirurgia (p<0,05). Em t4 a freqüência do Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo foi menor no grupo A quando comparado ao grupo B (p<0,05) e a sensibilidade ao ciprofloxacino em relação a t0 foi menor em todos grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O colírio de gatifloxacino aplicado 1 hora antes da cirurgia reduziu significantemente a positividade das culturas. Ambos antibióticos promoveram redução da flora quando administrados no pós-operatório.

PURPOSE: To evaluate alterations of the conjunctival flora after the use of 0.3 percent ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin in the prophylaxis of patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS: 40 patients undergoing cataract surgery were distributed into two groups according to the use of antibiotic eye drops: Group A: 0.3 percent ciprofloxacin and Group B: 0.3 percent gatifloxacin. Both groups used antibiotic eye drops 1 hour before surgery and 14 days after surgery. Conjunctival material was collected at 5 time points: 1 hour before surgery, without any topical medication (t0); immediately before the application of povidone-iodine (PVPI) (t1), before the beginning of surgery, after povidone-iodine (t2), 14 days (t3) and 28 days after surgery (t4). RESULTS: Preoperative antibiotics reduced the positivity of the cultures before the use of PVPI in both groups, although in Group A this reduction was not significant (Group A - p=0.07 and Group B - p=0.04). The number of positive cultures was reduced in all groups after the use of povidone-iodine and on the 14th postoperative day (p<0.05). In t4 there was a reduction in the frequency of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in Group A compared with Group B (p<0.05); the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin was also reduced in all groups, when compared with t0. CONCLUSIONS: Gatifloxacin eye drops applied one hour before surgery significantly reduced the number of positive conjunctival cultures. Both antibiotics reduced the conjunctival flora when administered in the postoperative period.

Conjunctival bacterial flora and antibiotic resistance pattern in patients undergoing cataract surgery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the conjunctival bacterial flora and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern in eyes of patients undergoing cataract surgery. Conjunctival soap was obtained on the day of surgery before the application of topical anesthetic, antibiotic or povidone-iodine. Culture and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed. The data was analyseed with X[2] and T tests. Of the 170 patients 89 cases [52.4%] had positive cultures in the eyes. In 79 eyes [88.8%] found coagulase-negative Staphylococcus [CoNS]. Eighty two cases [95.3%] of isolated Staphylococcus were susceptible to Amikacin, 86[100%] sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and 42 [48.8%] sensitive to Ceftazidime. Average susceptibility and resistancy to antibiotics was 2.6 [ +/- 1.8] antibiotics in women and 1.6 [ +/- 1 .4] in men [P= 0.009]. This study showed that the bacterium most frequently found in the conjunctival flora of the patients undergoing cataract surgery was CoNS. Isolates of this bacterium had low CoNS susceptibility rates to Caftazidime and Vancomycin and high susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin

Comparação entre dois meios de coleta e transporte para estudo da microbiota conjuntival de indivíduos normais / Comparison of two transportation media for study of normal individual conjunctival microbiota

OBJETIVO: Comparar o perfil microbiológico da microbiota de pessoas sadias, obtidas do esfregaço conjuntival, utilizando zaragatoa seca transportada no meio de Stuart e zaragatoa úmida transportada no tubo de ensaio vedado com algodão. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo, com amostras selecionadas aleatoriamente, realizado no Departamento de Oftalmologia e Patologia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, no mês de agosto de 2006. Foram estudados 80 olhos normais de 40 indivíduos. No olho direito de cada paciente, foi realizada a coleta de material com a zaragatoa seca, armazenando-a no meio de transporte de Stuart, no qual todo o material microbiológico obtido fica imerso no meio e o tubo hermeticamente fechado. No olho esquerdo, o material conjuntival foi colhido com a extremidade de algodão da zaragatoa umedecida em solução salina a 0,9 por cento, e armazenando-a no tubo de ensaio seco e estéril vedado com algodão. As amostras foram analisadas no prazo máximo de 2 horas após a coleta do material. RESULTADOS: Das 40 amostras coletadas com a zaragatoa úmida transportadas em tubo seco, foram identificadas bactérias em 10 (25 por cento). Das 40 amostras coletadas com zaragatoa seca transportada em meio de Stuart, foram identificadas bactérias em 12 (30 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do perfil microbiológico da microbiota normal conjuntival utilizando o meio de transporte da zaragatoa seca em meio de Stuart mostraram-se estatisticamente semelhantes (p= 0,85) ao comparar com o meio utilizando a zaragatoa úmida em tubo seco para semeaduras realizadas em até 2 horas após a coleta de material conjuntival.

PURPOSE: To compare the microbiological profile of normal microbiota of healthy people obtained from conjunctival smear using dry swab in Stuart's transport medium and wet swab transported in test tube sealed with cotton. METHODS: A prospective study with random samples, performed at the Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology of Santa Casa Misericórdia de São Paulo, in August of 2006. Eighty normal eyes of 40 healthy individuals were analyzed. Samples were collected in the right eye with a dry swab and stored in Stuart's medium, where all microbiological material is kept immersed in the medium and the tube is hermetically sealed. In the left eye, the conjunctival material was collected using a swab embedded in saline solution 0.9 percent, and stored in dry and sterile test tubes sealed with cotton. The samples were analyzed within 2 hours at most after collection. RESULTS: Out of 40 samples collected with wet swab and transported in dry tube, bacteria were observed in 10 (25 percent), whereas of 40 samples collected with dry swab and transported in Stuart's medium, 12 (30 percent) had bacteria. CONCLUSION: The results of the microbiological profile of normal conjunctival microbiota using dry swab in Stuart's medium were statistically similar (p=0.85) to those obtained in wet swab in dry tube for spreading performed within 2 hours after collection of conjunctival specimen.

Eficácia de um regime de administração de antibióticos tópicos na redução da microbiota conjuntival de pacientes sadios com catarata senil / The efficacy of topical antibiotics in reducing conjunctival microbiota of healthy patients with senile cataract

OBJETIVOS: Identificar as bactérias que compõem a microbiota conjuntival de pacientes sadios com catarata senil, a susceptibilidade delas aos antibióticos testados e a eficácia de um regime de administração de antibióticos tópicos na redução dessa microbiota. MÉTODOS: Coorte prospectiva, não-randomizada, de 40 olhos de 40 pacientes divididos em 4 grupos de 10 pacientes cada, que utilizaram diferentes antibióticos tópicos (tobramicina, ciprofloxacino e gatifloxacino). Foram realizadas culturas de material conjuntival antes do uso dos medicamentos e 15, 30 e 60 minutos após o uso dos mesmos. Foram realizados testes de resistência bacteriana das bactérias isoladas e comparação da redução do crescimento bacteriano pela análise do número de unidade formadoras de colônias (UFC). RESULTADOS: Houve crescimento bacteriano em 92,5% dos pacientes. O estafilococo coagulase negativo foi a bactéria mais comumente encontrada (50% dos casos), seguido pelo Staphylococcus Aureus (23%) e pelas bactérias gram negativas (26%). Das bactérias isoladas, 81,8% foram sensíveis a todos os antibióticos utilizados no estudo. Houve cinco casos de resistência ao ciprofloxacino e à tobramicina e dois de resistência ao gatifloxacino. Em todos os grupos houve diminuição do número de pacientes com cultura positiva em relação ao momento zero e em relação ao placebo. CONCLUSÃO: As bactérias gram-positivas, especialmente o estafilococo coagulase negativo, foram os microrganismos mais encontrados na conjuntiva normal dos pacientes estudados. As bactérias isoladas mostraram alta taxa de susceptibilidade aos antibióticos testados. O regime de uso desses antibióticos diminuiu o número de unidades formadoras de colônias em relação ao grupo controle, embora sem significância estatística na maioria dos casos.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the conjunctival bacterial flora of healthy patients and its antibiotic resistance pattern and determine the effective of a regime of topical antibiotics on reduction of endogenous microbiota. METHODS: Its a prospective non randomized study. Fourty eyes of 40 patients, divided in 4 groups of 10 eyes each, used four differents topical antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, tobramycin and gatifloxacin). One group served as a control group. Were performed conjunctival cultures before instillation of the antibiotics drops and after 15, 30 and 60 minutes. Were performed susceptibility tests of the specimes isolated to these antibiotics. We compared the reduction of bacterium growth by assessing the number of UFC (colonies forming units) before and after the instillation of antibiotics drops. RESULTS: Of the 40 eyes, 92,5% had positive cultures. The coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) was the most frequent organism isolated (50%), followed by Staphylococcus Aureus (23%) and gram-negative bacteria (26%). More than 81% of the isolates of this bacterium were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. Five bacterium isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and tobramycin and two to gatifloxacin. All groups had diminished the number of patients with positive culture specimes from the conjuntiva compared to moment zero and to placebo. CONCLUSION: The gram positive bacterium, specially the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, were the most frequent microorganism found on conjunctiva of healthy patients. The most of the bacterium isolated were sensitivity to the antibiotics tested. The proposed regime of use of these antibiotics reduced the number of UFC (colonies forming units) compared to placebo although without statics relevance in most of cases.

Chlamydia trachomatis in the conjunctiva of children living in three rural areas in Mexico

OBJECTIVES: Chlamydia trachomatis infections, in the context of extreme poverty, may trigger trachoma. Because the levels of C. trachomatis eye infections in Mexico are unknown, this study sought to determine if C. trachomatis was present in the conjunctiva of children living in three poor, rural areas of the country. METHODS: Clinical diagnosis of conjunctival follicles in children was conducted during the 2004 visual acuity assessment campaigns in rural areas of the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Zacatecas. C. trachomatis detection was carried out by sampling the children with follicles and examining the specimens after Giemsa or microimmunofluorescence (MIF) staining. RESULTS: A total of 941 children from 6 to 12 years of age were examined in 2004. Of the 484 in Chiapas, 30 percent were found to have follicles; of the 181 in Zacatecas, 22 percent; and of the 276 in Oaxaca, 42 percent. C. trachomatis was detected at levels ranging between 2 percent and 5 percent; positive by Giemsa in 4.5 percent of the children with follicles, and by MIF in 15.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that the chlamydiae sampling procedures and detection methods used in this study were not the most sensitive, the results underestimate the chlamydial eye infections and represent a conservative assessment of a potential risk for preventable visual impairment. Because C. trachomatis was detected here at levels similar to those reported for low-endemic trachoma areas, health authorities should be prepared to implement appropriate measures should it be confirmed that the visual health of MexicoÆs children is at risk.

OBJETIVOS: En un contexto de pobreza extrema, la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis puede desencadenar el tracoma. Debido a que se desconocen los niveles de infección ocular con C. trachomatis en México, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de C. trachomatis en la conjuntiva de niños de tres zonas rurales pobres de México. MÉTODOS:El diagnóstico clínico de folículos conjuntivales en los niños se llevó a cabo durante la campaña de evaluación de la agudeza visual en áreas rurales de los estados de Chiapas, Oaxaca y Zacatecas en 2004. Para la detección de C. trachomatis se tomaron muestras de los niños con folículos y se analizaron mediante la tinción de Giemsa o microinmunofluorescencia (MIF). RESULTADOS: En total se examinaron 941 niños de 6 a 12 años de edad en 2004. Se observaron folículos en 30 por ciento de los 484 niños de Chiapas, en 22 por ciento de los 181 de Zacatecas y en 42 por ciento de los 276 niños de Oaxaca. Se detectó C. trachomatis en niveles entre 2 por ciento y 5 por ciento; de los niños con folículos, 4,5 por ciento resultaron positivos por Giemsa y 15,5 por ciento por MIF. CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados subestiman el nivel de infección ocular por clamidia, ya que los procedimientos de muestreo y los métodos de detección de clamidia empleados en este estudio no eran los más sensibles, por lo que representan una valoración conservadora del riesgo de trastornos visuales prevenibles. Como los niveles de C. trachomatis encontrados son similares a los informados para áreas de baja endemia de tracoma, las autoridades de salud deben estar listas para implementar medidas apropiadas si se confirmaran los riesgos para la salud visual de los niños mexicanos.