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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
PubMed

Insights

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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