Publication: Bacterial Conjunctivitis and Use of Antibiotics in Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital
Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Acute Infective Conjunctivitis may be due to viral or bacterial infection; though it
is usually self limiting, topical antibiotics are often prescribed for rapid recovery.
Objectives
This study aims to find out prevalence of bacterial infection among cases of acute
infective conjunctivitis and to determine their in-vitro antibacterial susceptibilities
to commonly used antibacterial agents and to find out whether the rampant use of
topical antibiotics are at all necessary or justified.
Methods
A prospective analytical study conducted over a period of two years on clinically
diagnosed cases of Acute Infective Conjunctivitis. Isolation and identification
of microorganisms by culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test were done on
conjunctival swabs from 65 patients.
Results
A total of 65 patients were included where children (one month to 10 years old)
accounted for the commonest age group (35.4%).On Gram’s Stain, 90.8% were
negative for pus cells or micro organisms. Gram positive cocci were found in 6.2%
of cases. On culture, bacterial growth was seen in 11 cases (18.9%) among which
Streptococcus pneumonia was seen in seven cases (10.8%).The analysis on in-vitro
susceptibility testing showed that Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin were the most
sensitive (78.6% of samples) drugs for conjunctivitis.
Conclusion
Ophthalmic antibiotics should be prescribed judiciously in acute infective
conjunctivitis even for suspected bacterial cases; since it is found to resolve
spontaneously without any serious complications. Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin
are drugs of choice if at all required.
Key Words
acute infective conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, chloramphenicol, gentamicin
Description
Sthapit PR,1 Tuladhar NR,2 Marasini S,1 Khoju U,1 Thapa G1
1Department of Ophthalmology
2Department of Microbiology Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital Dhulikhel, Nepal