Indifferent streptococci in normal and purulent eyes of neonates.
The incidence of indifferent streptococci in the eyes of neonates less than 6 days old was investigated. The isolation of indifferent streptococci was significantly higher in infants with sticky eyes. Speciation using a shortened identification scheme was carried out on isolates; Streptococcus mitior and Streptococcus sanguis were the most common species in both purulent and non-infected eyes. Streptococcus mutans, a species not normally found in edentulous infants, comprised 14% of indifferent streptoccoi from neonates with sticky eyes but only 1% of those from infants with non-purulent eyes. It is suggested that the role of indifferent streptococci in neonatal conjunctivitis will be resolved only if speciation is performed.
D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013492:Suppuration