title: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and bacterial growth of the normal and mildly inflamed conjunctiva.
abstract: We examined 304 conjunctiva in 152 subjects by clinical, cytologic, and bacteriologic methods. Bacteriologic samples were evaluated after a 48-hour incubation. Bacterial growth was found in 8 (20.5%) of 39 patients with clinically normal conjunctiva and no polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and in 8 (61.5%) of 13 subjects with clinically normal conjunctiva and evidence of PMNs. Bacterial growth also was observed in 4 (40.0%) of 10 patients with clinically mild conjunctivitis and no PMNs, in 10 (24.4%) of 41 patients with clinically mild conjunctivitis and a mixture of inflammatory cells or predominantly lymphocytes, and in 37 (75.5%) of 49 patients with clinically mild conjunctivitis and evidence of PMNs. The presence of PMNs was well correlated with the existence of rapid-growing bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Opthalmology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ugomori
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayasaka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Setogawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils