Bacteriologic and plasmid analysis of etiologic agents of conjunctivitis in Lagos, Nigeria
2011

Bacterial Causes of Conjunctivitis in Lagos, Nigeria

Sample size: 83 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Iwalokun Bamidele Abiodun, Oluwadun Afolabi, Akinsinde Kehinde Adewale, Niemogha Mary Theressa, Nwaokorie Fransisca Obiageri

Primary Institution: Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)

Hypothesis

This study was conducted to determine antibacterial susceptibility and characterize the plasmids harbored by bacteriologic agents of conjunctivitis in Lagos, Nigeria.

Conclusion

Conjunctivitis in Lagos is caused by multiple bacterial agents with varying antibiotic susceptibility and the presence of transferable R plasmids.

Supporting Evidence

  • All specimens were culture-positive, yielding a total of 155 bacterial isolates.
  • Gram-positive cocci accounted for 50.3% of conjunctivitis cases.
  • Polymicrobial infections constituted 69.9% of the cases screened.
  • Chloramphenicol and ofloxacin were the least and most active antibiotics tested.

Takeaway

Doctors found that many different germs can cause eye infections in Lagos, and some of these germs can share their medicine resistance with each other.

Methodology

The study collected 83 conjunctival specimens from patients, cultured them, and tested the bacteria for antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in sample selection as only patients from specific hospitals were included.

Limitations

The study focused only on conjunctivitis and may not represent other ocular infections.

Participant Demographics

Patients of all age groups were included, with a notable percentage being children and adolescents.

Statistical Information

P-Value

1.8E−5

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s12348-011-0024-z

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