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Bacterial culture isolates from hospitalized pediatric patients with conjunctivitis

Ahmad B Tarabishy1, Gerri S Hall, Gary W Procop

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

American Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The most common bacteria causing acute bacterial conjunctivitis in hospitalized children were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and viridans Streptococcus. Organism distribution varied by age and length of hospitalization, suggesting tailored treatment approaches for pediatric bacterial conjunctivitis.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a common pediatric infection.
  • Understanding the causative organisms is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Previous studies primarily focused on outpatient settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the spectrum of bacteria responsible for acute bacterial conjunctivitis in hospitalized children.
  • To compare findings with existing literature from outpatient populations.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of hospitalized children with confirmed bacterial conjunctivitis.
  • Analysis of conjunctival culture results from 59 patients (107 isolates).

Main Results:

  • Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (59.3%) and viridans Streptococcus (47.5%) were the most frequent isolates.
  • Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae were more prevalent in non-neonates.
  • Gram-negative bacilli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species were associated with longer hospital stays.

Conclusions:

  • The microbial spectrum of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in hospitalized children differs from outpatient settings.
  • Culture and sensitivity testing before empiric antibiotic therapy may optimize treatment for pediatric bacterial conjunctivitis.
Abstract

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