Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Abstract

Non Chlamydial Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Sudanese Children

Abubakr Abdallah Abd Almajeed, Elfatih Bushara, Nawal el Tayeb Omer, Omer Mohammed Ibrahim and Gafer Mohamed Ibrahem

In children there is a paucity of data in recent literature on the prevalence of infective conjunctivitis and almost it is absent from an area like Sudan. This research was aimed to study the point prevalence of a cute bacterial conjunctivitis in Sudanese children and put light on causative bacterial pathogens. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a common infection in children and it may be extremely contagious and easily spread in day care centres and school class rooms leading to absences or lost time from work for parents, outbreaks may occur. Common presenting symptoms are red eye and eye discharge. Commonly involved bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae. Generally it is a mild disease but more serious complications may occur.
Methods: Hundred children with clinical presentation of acute conjunctivitis were included in this study. For each patient a sample for bacterial culture and sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics was obtained by a thin cotton micro swab, isolation and identification of pathogens was done by conventional methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to method standardized by CLSI. Data was analyzed by SPSS computer program.
Results: The most common presenting symptom is the red eye. Bacterial pathogens were detected in 65% of the studied sample. Predominant bacterial pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae is a cause in small number of patients. All isolates are sensitive to Gentamycin.
Conclusion: Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a common infection in children, muco purulent discharge points to bacterial cause in acute infective conjunctivitis. Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen and it is sensitive to Gentamycin.