The Etiology and Antibiogram of Bacterial Causes of Conjunctivitis among Patients Attending the Eye Clinic at Rugarama Hospital in South Western Uganda

Abstract

Background: Bacterial Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that causes discomfort and is very irritating. It is a common condition in children and adults and can be caused by various bacterial agents. Objective:To determine the prevalence, the common bacterial causes of conjunctivitis and their sensitivity to antimicrobial agents at the eye clinic of Rugarama Hospital, Kabale. Materials and Methods :All specimens were obtained during routine checkups and outreach programmes in April, 2013. The isolates were obtained after inoculation of the specimens onto blood, chocolate and MacConkey agar plates, incubated at 37 0 C for 1824 hours under aerobic conditions except for chocolate agar plates which were kept in candle extinctionjar. The isolates were identified using a combination of colony morphology, biochemical and / or serological tests. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: One hundred ninety six conjunctival swab s were cultured of which 87 grew