Bacteriological Profile of Organisms Isolated from Patients with Conjunctivitis in Katihar, Bihar

BACKGROUND Conjunctivitis is one of the most common nontraumatic eye complaints and is one of the most frequently reported diseases in the outpatient and emergency departments. Bacterial conjunctivitis has been reported as one of the most common type of infectious conjunctivitis after viral infections. It is also considered as the primary cause of acute conjunctivitis in children. This study was conducted to isolate and identify organisms causing bacterial conjunctivitis and to determine their in vitro susceptibility or resistance. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Microbiology at Katihar Medical College from December 2018 to May 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from 175 patients using structured questionnaire. External ocular specimens were collected using sterile swabs and inoculated on blood agar, MacConkey's agar and chocolate agar. Presumptive isolates were further identified by a series of biochemical tests. All isolated organisms were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility against various antibiotics using the Kirby-Baur disk diffusion method. RESULTS A total of 175 samples were collected, out of which, 62.8 % (110 / 175) showed growth of bacteria. Maximum cases of bacterial conjunctivitis were seen in the age group 11 -20 years. The male to female ratio was 2.7:1. Maximum frequency of bacterial conjunctivitis was observed from May to September. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria isolate 65.5 % (72 / 110) followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis 19.1 % (21 / 110). Most of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were found to be sensitive to moxifloxacin 98.6 % (71 / 72) and gentamicin 95.8 % (69 / 72). 25 % (18 / 72) of Staphylococcus aureus strains were found to be resistant to cefoxitin and were considered as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Maximum numbers of gram-negative strains were sensitive to moxifloxacin 100.0 % (9 / 9) followed by tobramycin 88.9 % (8 / 9). Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains showed maximum sensitivity to moxifloxacin 100.0 (8 / 8) followed by ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin 62.5 % (5 / 8). CONCLUSIONS This study provides an insight into the organisms isolated from cases of bacterial conjunctivitis in Katihar District of Bihar. Determining the susceptibility pattern of these pathogens to available antibiotics is crucial for effective management of bacterial conjunctivitis especially when treatment has to be given empirically.