Bacteriology and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Infants

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.