Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Conjunctival Commensal Isolation and Identification in Mice
Published on: May 1, 2021
Patient demographic and microbiology trends in bacterial conjunctivitis in children
Felix V Chen1, Ta C Chang2, Kara M Cavuoto2
1University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
Insights
Most childhood conjunctivitis cases are not bacterial, yet antibiotics are frequently prescribed. Over half of cases received antibiotics, despite bacterial conjunctivitis being rare, indicating potential overuse in pediatric eye care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis management has economic implications.
- Empirical treatment is common for conjunctivitis.
- Age-related microbial trends in conjunctivitis exist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine microbial trends in pediatric conjunctivitis.
- To investigate physician practice patterns in conjunctivitis management.
- To assess antibiotic prescribing habits for conjunctivitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for children diagnosed with conjunctivitis.
- Analysis of data from inpatient and outpatient facilities at a tertiary university center over 5 years.
- Examination of microbial cultures and antibiotic dispensing patterns.
Main Results:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis represented only 10% of cases.
- Antibiotics were dispensed in over 50% of all conjunctivitis cases.
- Pediatricians prescribed antibiotics more than twice as often as ophthalmologists.
- Age influenced the types of organisms recovered from cultures.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic overuse for conjunctivitis is prevalent, particularly among pediatricians.
- Empirical antibiotic treatment for conjunctivitis may be excessive.
- Further research into targeted conjunctivitis treatment guidelines is warranted.
Abstract:
The management of bacterial conjunctivitis has a significant economic impact, despite the relatively benign nature of the disease. We reviewed the medical records for children diagnosed with conjunctivitis at inpatient and outpatient facilities of a tertiary university center over a 5-year period to examine the microbial trends and physician practice patterns and found that most cases of conjunctivitis were treated empirically. When cultures were performed and an organism was recovered, there were significant differences in the organism based on age. Although bacterial conjunctivitis accounted for only 10% of cases, antibiotics were dispensed in more than half of the cases. Pediatricians prescribed antibiotics for conjunctivitis more than twice as often as ophthalmologists. Less than 5% of patients who did not receive antibiotics returned to clinic within 1 month for persistent symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:28History of Microbiology
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...