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Microbiology of dacryocystitis among adults population in southern Australia

Rohit Sainju1, Alan Angus Acnab Franzco, Mohan Krishna Shrestha

  • 1Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. rohitsaiju@hotmail.com

Nepal Medical College Journal : NMCJ
|November 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study analyzed the microbiology of adult dacryocystitis, finding aerobic/facultative bacteria predominated. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen, informing antimicrobial treatment for lacrimal duct obstruction.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Dacryocystitis, an infection of the lacrimal sac, requires understanding causative organisms for effective treatment.
  • Previous microbiological data may not reflect current trends in pathogen prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the microbiological profile of adult dacryocystitis cases.
  • To inform appropriate antimicrobial selection for dacryocystitis and prophylaxis in lacrimal surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 64 adult dacryocystitis cases.
  • Microbiological culture and identification of isolated organisms from lacrimal sac specimens.
  • Data collected between March 2000 and June 2003 at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH).

Main Results:

  • Seventy-nine organisms were isolated from 66 specimens.
  • Aerobic or facultative bacteria were most common (96.2%), followed by fungi (2.5%) and anaerobes (1.3%).
  • Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism (27 isolates), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6 isolates). Gram-positive organisms (54.4%) predominated over Gram-negative (41.8%).

Conclusions:

  • The current bacteriology of dacryocystitis indicates a need to consider Gram-positive organisms, particularly Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Findings should guide the selection of first-line antimicrobial therapy for dacryocystitis.
  • Understanding local microbiology is crucial for effective prophylaxis in lacrimal drainage surgery.

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