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Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis caused by Escherichia coli in a newborn

Meenal Thadasina1, Peter Paul Lim1, Jaskirat Takhar1

  • 1UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA.

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
|May 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare instance of pseudomembranous conjunctivitis in a newborn caused by Escherichia coli. The infant likely acquired the bacterial infection perinatally from the mother.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neonatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis involves conjunctival inflammation, discharge, and membrane formation, often due to viral or bacterial infections.
  • This condition requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent complications.

Observation:

  • A newborn infant presented with pseudomembranous conjunctivitis.
  • The infant's condition was attributed to an Escherichia coli infection.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first reported instance of pseudomembranous conjunctivitis caused by Escherichia coli in a newborn.
  • Perinatal transmission from the mother, who had a concurrent E. coli bloodstream infection with identical antimicrobial susceptibilities, is the likely route of infection.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for E. coli to cause severe neonatal conjunctivitis.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering unusual pathogens in neonatal eye infections.
  • Underscores the need for thorough maternal and neonatal infectious workups in suspected perinatal infections.
Keywords:
E. coliPseudomembranous conjunctivitisnewborn

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