title: [Bacterial conjunctivitis: most prevalent pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacterial conjunctivitis is a self-limiting process, but topical antibiotic treatment is recommended to eradicate the pathogen and reduce symptom duration. Since this treatment is usually empirical and prior cultures are not normally taken, the etiological agents involved in the process are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 596 conjunctival exudates from pediatric outpatients with a diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis in Medical Area 6 of Madrid, Spain, were studied over 3 years (from 2000 to 2002 inclusive). The patients were divided into three age groups: group 1 (infants), group 2 (2- to 6-year-olds) and group 3 (7- to 14-year-olds).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 428 bacteria were isolated. The most prevalent bacteria were Haemophilus influenzae (44.8 %) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (30.6 %) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (7.5 %), S. viridans (7.2 %), Moraxella catarrhalis (6.8 %) and Enterobacteriaceae (4.2 %). In 56 exudates (15.1 %), two or more bacteria were isolated and S. pneumoniae 1 H. influenzae were found in 8.1 % of the cases. By age group, S. aureus was significantly more prevalent (p < 0.0001) in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, S. viridans and non-fermentative Gram negative bacilli was significantly more frequent (p < 0.05) in group 1 and isolation of S. pneumoniae (p < 0.05) was significantly more frequent in group 2. S. pneumoniae showed the greatest level of resistance to antibiotics used in eye drops and ophthalmic ointments. Ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and rifampin were active in the most prevalent pathogens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most prevalent bacteria were H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. The most active antibiotics in these pathogens were ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and rifampin.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Centro de Especialidades Argüelles, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain. monord@telefonica.net
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Orden Martínez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez Ruiz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Millán Pérez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents