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Conjunctivitis due to Neisseria sicca: a case report.
Ilker Eser1, Alper Akcali, Muserref Tatman-Otkun
1Acibadem Maslak Hospital, Eye Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Neisseria sicca, a gram-negative diplococcus, can cause conjunctivitis. This case highlights its potential role as a pathogen, with successful treatment using netilmicin eye drops.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Conjunctivitis is a common ocular infection.
- The causative agents of conjunctivitis are diverse, including bacteria.
- Neisseria sicca is a gram-negative diplococcus not typically recognized as a primary conjunctival pathogen.
Observation:
- This report details the first case in Medline-based literature of conjunctivitis caused by Neisseria sicca.
- The diagnosis was supported by repeated positive cultures from eye swab samples.
Findings:
- Neisseria sicca was identified as the causative agent of conjunctivitis.
- The conjunctivitis responded well to topical treatment with netilmicin eye drops.
Implications:
- Neisseria sicca should be considered a potential pathogen in cases of conjunctivitis.
- Clinicians should not dismiss positive cultures for N. sicca in ocular infections.
- This finding expands the spectrum of known bacterial causes of conjunctivitis.
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