1Tutor, Dept. of Microbiology, Vinayaka Mission Medical College
2Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Vinayaka Mission Medical College
3Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Vinayaka Mission Medical College
4Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, Vinayaka Mission Medical College
5Associate Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, Vinayaka Mission Medical College
6Associate Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Sambaram Institute of Medical Sciences
*Corresponding Author: Email: moinnewlook@gmail.com
Online published on 19 September, 2016.
This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of external ocular infections and susceptibility profile of associated bacteria along with special reference to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
During the study period, 227 ocular samples were collected from patients clinically diagnosed with external ocular infections such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, and blepharitis. All samples were processed for direct microscopy, culture and identification by standard methods. Susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Methicillin resistance was determined by cefoxitin disc diffusion method. All the analysis was performed using simple percentage method
Out of 227 ocular specimens, 158 specimens yielded significant bacterial growth. The isolation rate was 70.54% in conjunctivitis (91 of 129), 77.05% in keratitis (47 of 61) and 54.05% in blepharitis (20 of 37). Newborn to under two years of age group recorded highest cases 73(46.20%). The predominant bacterial species isolated was staphylococcus aureus 39 (27.4%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 35 (22.15%). Overall prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 5 (12.82%). All Gram positive cocci were susceptible to vancomycin including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. All Gram positive cocci and Gram negative bacilli showed good response towards amikacin and moxifloxacin in a range of 60–100%. Apart from vancomycin, all methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates remained susceptible to chloramphenicol.
Gram-positive cocci were the most frequent bacteria isolated from ocular infections and were sensitive to moxifloxacin and vancomycin, while gram negative isolates were more sensitive to amikacin.
Bacteriology, External Ocular Infections, Antibiogram
