Swab Materials Research Articles

Efficiency and novelty of using environmental swabs for dry-surface biofilm recovery.

Studies on the epidemiology of dry-surface biofilms (DSBs) within healthcare settings have shown an almost universal distribution across frequently touched items. Despite a growing body of evidence for DSBs in hospitals, little attention has been paid to the recovery capacity of techniques used to detect these microbial communities. Biofilms are inherently difficult to remove from surfaces due to adhesive substances within their matrix and may act as sources of infection, but to what extent is largely unknown. In this study, we evaluate the recovery efficiencies of commonly used environmental swabs against DSBs containing 7.24 log10 Acinetobacter baumannii cm-2, using a drip flow reactor and desiccation cycle. Biofilm presence was visually confirmed using episcopic differential interference contrast microscopy combined with epifluorescence and quantified using sonicated viable plate counts. The swab materials used comprised foam, viscose and cotton, all of which were pre-moistened using a buffer solution. The surfaces were vigorously swabbed by each material type and the resultant microbe populations for both swabs and remaining DSBs were quantified. Our results found foam-tipped swabs to be superior, detecting on average 30 % of the original DSB contamination; followed by viscose (6 %) and cotton (3 %). However, no distinct difference was revealed in the concentration of microbes remaining on the surface after swabbing for each swab type, suggesting there is variation in the capacity for each swab to release biofilm-associated micro-organisms. We conclude whilst environmental swabs do possess the ability to detect biofilms on dry surfaces, the reduced efficiencies are likely to cause an underestimation of the microbes present and should be considered during clinical application.

Foot-and-mouth disease attributed to serotype A in sheep flocksof Jammu and Kashmir, India

The present study investigates the suspected FMD outbreak in sheep flock in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory of India during May 2021. Swab materials, saliva and serum samples from symptomatic and in-contact apparently healthy animals were collected. A total of 13, 41 and 15 serum samples from Beerwah Budgam, Poshnar sheep farm, and Gundipora/Shalkani Budgam and Dara Srinagar, respectively were collected. Also 360 serum samples were collected from the districts of Pulwama, Ananthnag, Shopian, Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora. The serum samples were subjected to the in-house indirect 3AB3 NSP ELISA, while the swab and saliva samples were processed and subjected to serotyping ELISA and multiplex RT-PCR. One sample from Gundipora/Shalkani Budgam and Dara Srinagar was found positive for FMDV serotype A in multiplex RT-PCR. FMD virus serotype A was last documented in Jammu and Kashmir pretty long years ago. In NSP serology, 53.8%, 26.8% and 33.3% serum samples from Beerwah Budgam, Poshnar farm and Gundipora/Shalkani Budgam and Dara Srinagar, respectively were found positive for 3AB NSP antibodies of FMDV. Further, 119 out of 360 (32.5%) serum samples collected from affected flock of different districts were also found positive for 3AB NSP antibodies suggesting a high level of virus circulation. Introduction of infected animals and intermixing of animals while sharing common pasture land followed by the unrestricted movement of diseased/ subclinically infected animals might have been the probable reason behind the origin and spread of the outbreak.

Listeria monocytogenes detection on food contact surfaces: suitability of different swab materials

The high binding capacity of Listeria monocytogenes to food contact surfaces increases the risk of cross-contamination in food. In addition to appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures, a suitable sampling plan and technique for the earliest possible detection are necessary for prevention. This paper evaluates the sensitivity of 3 swab materials (cotton, viscose and nylon-flocked) for the qualitative and quantitative detection of L. monocytogenes on food contact surfaces (100 cm2). A L. monocytogenes cocktail of 3 serotypes (IIa, IIb and IVb) was applied to stainless steel, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene and high-density polyethylene surfaces at a concentration of approx. 1.0 × 101-1.0 × 102 CFU/100 cm2 and approx. 4.0 × 104 CFU/100 cm2. The surfaces were sampled after 15 min of incubation by 3 different swabs using the double-swab technique, and then stored for 4 and 24 h until processing. The results of the qualitative and quantitative tests showed a few statistically significant differences in the detectability of L. monocytogenes by different swab materials, which implies that the detection rate of L. monocytogenes on a certain food contact surfaces can be increased by using the respective most suitable swab.

Expression of Staphylococcal Virulence Genes In Situ in Human Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, the most common pathogen in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), harbors many well-characterized virulence genes. However, the expression of many of them in SSTIs is unknown. In this study, S. aureus virulence genes expressed in SSTI were investigated. Methods: Fifty-three subjects presenting to the outpatient’s care and emergency departments with a purulent SSTI at two medical centers in Wisconsin, USA, were enrolled in the study. Total mRNA was extracted from the purulent or swab materials, made into cDNA and sequenced on MiSeq platform. The relative cDNA counts to gmk and identifications of the transcripts were carried out with respect to USA300 reference genome and using SAMTOOLS v.1.3 and BWA, respectively. Result: A significantly higher cDNA count was observed for many of the virulence and regulatory gene transcripts in the pus samples compared to the swab samples relative to the cDNA counts for gmk, a housekeeping gene. They were for lukS-PV (18.6 vs. 14.2), isaA (13.4 vs. 8.5), ssaA (4.8 vs. 3.1), hlgC (1.4 vs. 1.33), atl (17.7 vs. 8.33), clfA (3.9 vs. 0.83), eno (6.04 vs. 3.16), fnbA (5.93 vs. 0.33), saeS (6.3 vs. 1.33), saeR (5.4 vs. 3.33) and agrC (5.6 vs. 1.5). Conclusions: A relative increase in the transcripts of several toxins, adhesion and regulatory genes with respect to a gmk in purulent materials suggests their role in situ during SSTIs, perhaps in an orchestrated manner.

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-Enhanced Detection of Minute Amounts of DNA.

This article presents a novel approach to increase the detection sensitivity of trace amounts of DNA in a sample by employing Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between intercalating dyes. Two intercalators that present efficient FRET were used to enhance sensitivity and improve specificity in detecting minute amounts of DNA. Comparison of steady-state acceptor emission spectra with and without the donor allows for simple and specific detection of DNA (acceptor bound to DNA) down to 100 pg/μL. When utilizing as an acceptor a dye with a significantly longer lifetime (e.g., ethidium bromide bound to DNA), multipulse pumping and time-gated detection enable imaging/visualization of picograms of DNA present in a microliter of an unprocessed sample or DNA collected on a swab or other substrate materials.

Comparison of pre-analytical characteristics for molecular and serological diagnostics of COVID-19.

Background: The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection relies on RT-PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs. The pre-analytical value of different methods of material harvesting for SARS-CoV-2 are unknown. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive investigation of the pre-analytical performance for different pharyngeal sampling procedures in hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to swabs taken simultaneously from different locations, saliva and pharyngeal lavages were also analyzed using RT-PCR.Results: In 10 COVID-19 patients, standard nasopharyngeal swabs detected 8 out of 10 positive patients, whereas swabs taken from the palatoglossal arch resulted in 9 correct-positive results. Brushing the posterior pharynx wall with swabs resulted in detection of 9 out of 10 positive patients with no difference using either dry swabs or liquid Amies medium. A strong correlation between Ct values of both swab materials was observed. Pharyngeal lavages yielded 6 out of 10 positive results in concordance with 85% of nasopharyngeal swabs in late-stage COVID-19 patients. Investigating 23 patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection, pharyngeal lavages showed a concordance rate of 100% compared to nasopharyngeal swabs.Conclusions: The diagnostic performance of swabs taken from the palatoglossal arch in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection is similar to that of specimens taken from the nasopharyngeal region. However, the former sampling method is associated with less discomfort and much easier to perform. Pharyngeal lavages may replace swabs for mass screening in early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The predictive values are comparable, and the procedure is performed without exposing healthcare workers to transmission risks.

The role of sampling by cotton swab in the molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

An appreciated sampling technique is essential for achieving optimum results from diagnostic tests of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL); conventional sampling methods, such as skin biopsy and dermal scrapping, are painful for the patients and require qualified staff and hospital facilities, while swabbing is patient-friendly more comfortable than invasive traditional techniques and can be carried out under field conditions. The aim of this study is to evaluate a non-invasive sampling method (swab) in the cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis, compared to microscopic examination. The recruitment of 205 patients was done during 3years in six regions known as endemic CL foci in the south-east, the centre, the south-west and the north of Morocco. The results showed that molecular detection of the nuclear marker ITS1 on swab materials is to be less sensitive than microscopic examination, and the difference was statistically significant (p-value=.036). Thereafter, 55 patients were randomly selected to compare the results of two molecular techniques (ITS1-PCR and nested KDNA-PCR), performed both on swab and on stained smears used for microscopic examination; ITS1-PCR results from stained smears reached 87% positivity against 65,2% for cotton swab; and it was statistically significant (p-value=.019); on the other hand for the KDNA marker, results from cotton swab reached 93% of positivity against 91% for stained smears; and statistically the difference was not significant (p-value=.5113). One can presume that rubbing over the lesion with cotton swab implies a low parasitic load collection, but the choice of the amplification target greatly influences the results obtained from cotton swab; on top of that swab remains useful in the cases of patients with multiples lesions or the latter are located in sensitive places difficult to reach with an invasive method such as the eyelids, the lips or other mucous areas.

An improved method of nasal swab analysis for assessing alpha internal radioactive contaminants

When responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies, rapid and on-site detections of possible internal radioactive contaminants are required for early dose estimation and medical triage. Nasal swab analysis is an effective method to provide valuable information for early and fast estimates of alpha radionuclide inhalation intakes and resultant doses. In this study, to improve the quality of nasal swab measurements, a specialised double-detector alpha counter was designed. Various parameters including swab materials, sample pre-preparation, angle-dependence and vacuum dependence were investigated to optimise the reliability and convenience of the nasal swab method. An improved procedure of direct nasal swab measurement was eventually established, which could be used to obtain early data for initial dose assessment during the first response of nuclear and radiological emergencies.

Abstract OT2-05-02: Characterization of the oral, gut, and breast tissue microbiomes in women with invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or no history of breast cancer

Abstract Background: We now know that there is an interplay between our bodies and the bacteria that we carry, both in health and in disease. Inflammatory diseases associated with disruptions in microbial equilibria, such as periodontal disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as chronic antibiotic use, have been associated with increased risk for cancer development. In a previous small pilot study, we observed differences in the oral microbiomes of women with breast cancer and healthy women. This presentation describes an ongoing study in which we aim to validate our previous findings in a larger cohort of women, as well as extend the microbiomes studied to include the gut and local breast tissue microbiota. Trial design and eligibility criteria: Women with invasive breast cancer or with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who have not received prior therapy for their disease are eligible for enrollment. A cohort of healthy women will also be enrolled. Sample collection kits containing cheek and stool swab materials are distributed to patients in the clinic, and breast tumor tissue is collected at the time of surgery. Specific aims: 1. To characterize and compare oral and gut microbial diversity from women with early stage invasive breast cancer, women with DCIS, and healthy women; and 2. To characterize the microbiota associated with breast tumor tissue and compare this to healthy breast tissue. Methods: DNA from the three sites is isolated, the bacterial 16S rRNA gene is PCR amplified and sequenced, and the bacterial species present are enumerated. Oral, gut, and breast tissue microbial diversity at the genus and species levels will be assessed using the Shannon diversity index. Student's t-test will be used to compare the mean diversity index values. Evaluation of microbial diversity and clinical variables will be determined using Spearman or Pearson correlations depending on the distribution of the data. We will also compare oral microbial diversity and clinical variables across racial and ethnic groups to determine if differences in the microbiomes may explain disparities in incidence across these groups. Classification and regression trees (CART) will be employed to develop rule sets based on the abundance of oral bacteria that discriminate breast cancer vs. DCIS vs. healthy controls. Present accrual: As of June, 2015, 32 women with early-stage invasive cancer, 8 women with DCIS, and 9 healthy women received sample collection kits. Breast tumor tissue has been collected from 11 invasive breast cancer cases and 2 DCIS cases. Target accrual: For the oral and gut microbiome analyses: 100 women with early-stage invasive breast cancer, 100 women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 100 healthy women with no history of breast cancer. For the breast tissue microbiome analyses: 20 women with invasive breast cancer, 10 patients with DCIS, and 10 reduction mammoplasty cases from healthy women. Citation Format: Campbell M, O'Meara T, Esserman LJ. Characterization of the oral, gut, and breast tissue microbiomes in women with invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or no history of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-05-02.

Otologic foreign body: An undeclared and unusual impaction

This study reports two cases of undeclared and unusual foreign body (FB) impaction in the ears of Nigerian adult patients that were accidentally discovered and successfully managed. The report aims to create awareness, and encourage Otorhinolaryngologist to have proper otoscopy done for all patients with suspected ear FB and double check again following FBs removal. CONCLUSION It has recommended a need for an increased public enlightenment to raise awareness about the danger of cleaning the ears with cotton swab or other sharp materials.

Commentary

Commentary

Optimisation of nasal swab analysis by liquid scintillation counting

When responding to an emergency radiological incident, rapid methods are needed toprovide the physicians and radiation protection personnel with an early estimation ofpossible internal dose resulting from the inhalation of radionuclides. This information isneeded so that appropriate medical treatment and radiological protection controlprocedures can be implemented. Nasal swab analysis, which employs swabs swiped inside anostril followed by liquid scintillation counting of alpha and beta activity on theswab, could provide valuable information to quickly identify contamination ofthe affected population. In this study, various parameters (such as alpha/betadiscrimination, swab materials, counting time and volume of scintillation cocktail etc) wereevaluated in order to optimise the effectiveness of the nasal swab analysis method. Animproved nasal swab procedure was developed by replacing cotton swabs withpolyurethane-tipped swabs. Liquid scintillation counting was performed using a Hidex300SL counter with alpha/beta pulse shape discrimination capability. Results show thatthe new method is more reliable than existing methods using cotton swabs andeffectively meets the analysis requirements for screening personnel in an emergencysituation. This swab analysis procedure is also applicable to wipe tests of surfacecontamination to minimise the source self-absorption effect on liquid scintillation counting.

A rapid and sensitive one step-SYBR green based semi quantitative real time RT-PCR for the detection of peste des petits ruminants virus in the clinical samples

A sensitive and rapid single step real time (rt) RT-PCR was standardized using one-step Brilliant SYBR Green kit® for detection and semi-quantitation of peste des petitis ruminants virus (PPRV) using the virus RNA and matrix (M) protein gene-specific primers and compared with established conventional RT-PCR and TaqMan RT-PCR. The assay amplifies a 124 bp fragment of the PPRV M gene with T(m) of 78.28 to 78.50. The assay was linear within a range of 50 ng to 0.5 fg total virus RNA with a detection limit (sensitivity) of 0.5 fg. Based on the serial dilution of the live-attenuated PPR vaccine virus, the detection limit was ~0.0001 cell culture infectious dose 50% units (TCID(50)). Additionally, swab materials spiked with known titre of vaccine virus were equally well detected in the assay. The standardized rt RT-PCR was easily employed for the detection of PPRV nucleic acid directly in the field and experimental clinical samples. The assay detected the PPRV nucleic acid as early as 3 day post infection (dpi) and up to 20 dpi in swab materials from the experimental samples. The assay was rapid and more sensitive than TaqMan and conventional RT-PCR in the detection of PPRV nucleic acid from the PPR suspected clinical samples of sheep and goats. Therefore, the established, simplified SYBR green rt RT-PCR is an alternative test to the already existing various diagnostic assays and could be useful for rapid clinical diagnosis with advantage in reducing risk of contamination.

Application of Semi-quantitative M Gene-Based Hydrolysis Probe (TaqMan) Real-Time RT-PCR Assay for the Detection of Peste des petitis ruminants Virus in the Clinical Samples for Investigation into Clinical Prevalence of Disease

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious, notifiable and economically important transboundary viral disease of small ruminants. In this study, a hydrolysis probe-based real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rt RT-PCR) assay for the detection and semi-quantification of PPR virus (PPRV) nucleic acid was developed using the virus RNA and matrix (M) gene-specific primers with Hex-labelled fluorescent probe and applied for the detection of PPRV in clinical samples to identify outbreaks and to monitor the prevalence of disease. The assay was found specific with a sensitivity detection limit of 0.5 pg of total PPRV RNA. Based on a serial dilution of the live-attenuated PPR vaccine virus, the detection limits were approximately 0.1 and 1 TCID₅₀ for the hydrolysis probe and conventional RT-PCR assays, respectively. The assay was linear within a range of 50 ng to 0.5 pg total virus RNA with an intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) in the range of 0.91-2.86% and an inter-assay CV ranging between 0.59% and 2.37%. The standardized rt RT-PCR was easily employed for the detection of PPRV nucleic acid directly in the experimental/field clinical samples. This assay detected the PPRV in pre-clinical swab materials as early as the 4th day post-infection (dpi) and up to 17th dpi in nasal, ocular and oral swabs collected from experimentally infected animals. The rt RT-PCR was rapid, specific and 10 times more sensitive than conventional RT-PCR. It is an alternative test to the existing diagnostic assays and could be useful with enhanced applicability in field clinical diagnosis by avoiding the use of expensive commercial real-time PCR reagents. This assay was adopted directly in the detection of PPRV nucleic acid in clinical samples collected from sheep and goats suspected of PPR to monitor outbreak situations and the clinical prevalence of PPR in India.

Impact of nasopharyngeal swab types on detection of Bordetella pertussis by PCR and culture.

A study was designed to assess the performance of various swabs and transport media routinely used to collect specimens submitted for Bordetella culture and PCR. Calcium-alginate swabs inhibited the PCR. No inhibition was detected in any PCRs with dacron or rayon swabs. All swab materials performed similarly for recovery of Bordetella pertussis in culture. The Amies with charcoal transport system performed poorly for culture. Calcium-alginate swabs are not recommended for PCR-based detection of B. pertussis. Dacron and rayon swabs are an excellent choice for both PCR and culture.

Simultaneous Amplification of Bordetella Repeated Insertion Sequences and Toxin Promoter Region Gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction

A polymerase chain reaction was devised to simultaneously detect repeated insertion sequences and the pertussis toxin promoter gene for the diagnostic identification of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica. The sensitivity of this method was sufficient to detect one B. pertussis organism using the following cycles and temperatures: 95°C for 15 min, followed by 32 amplification cycles (1 min at 95°C., 1 min at 66°C., 1 min at 72°C), and finally 5 min at 72°C. Using the primers as a combined set did not affect sensitivity, but required an increased temperature for optimal annealing compared with a single-sequence assay. As nasopharyngeal aspirate and swab materials sometimes contain hemoglobin, we also tested the inhibitory effect of hemoglobin on this assay, which was inhibited completely when using DNA extracts from samples containing hemoglobin at a final concentration < 0.015 g/L: this inhibition was reversed by addition of bovine serum albumin to the buffer. Our assay shows promising sensitivity and specificity for clinical use.

The role of temperature and swab materials in the recovery of herpes simplex virus from lesions.

swab was placed in 2 ml of Eagle's minimal essential medium containing a 1%07 mixture of penicillin, streptomycin, amphotericin B, and 207% bovine serum. The specimens were left at room temperature for 15-30 min; two 0.2-ml samples from each specimen were then inoculated into tubes containing human embryonic lung fibroblasts. The remaining medium was divided; half of the medium was refrigerated at 4 C and half was frozen at - 20 C for 48 hr. During the first part of the study, the swabs were retained in the specimens; during the second half of the study, the swabs were removed from the specimens and discarded before storage. After 48 hr the refrigerated and frozen specimens were brought to room temperature, and two 0.2-ml samples from each specimen were inoculated onto human embryonic lung fibroblasts. All of the cultures were incubated at 35-37 C and examined daily for 10 days for CPE. The positive cultures were harvested and typed according to the method of Stewart and Herrmann [1]. The X2 test was used for statistical comparison. * P< 0.001. t P< 0.01. $ P< 0.01. S P< 0.01. II P< 0.01. Summary Swab specimens of lesions from patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic that were thought to be caused by HSV were cultured to determine whether recovery of HSV was influenced by the use of cotton swabs vs. calcium alginate swabs and by storage of the specimens at refrigerator temperature (4 C) vs. freezer temperature (- 20 C). Adverse effects by both the use of calcium alginate swabs and the storage of specimens at freezing temperatures have been reported for laboratory-prepared stock cultures of HSV [2, 3] but not for clinical specimens. Fifty-one (62.1%) of the 82 patients who were cultured were positive for HSV; 46 isolates were HSV type 2 and five were HSV type 1. There was no difference in the recovery of HSV from cotton or calcium alginate swabs if the samples were inoculated immediately. However, if the samples were stored, the percentage of

Effects of swab materials and transport media on Aujeszky’s disease virus

The effect of swab materials on the recovery of Aujeszky's disease virus from various transport media held at 4 degrees C was investigated over a five day period. No significant loss in infectivity was found in control preparations, approximately 50 per cent of infectivity was recovered from fluids containing applicator wire and approximately 10 per cent from fluids containing polyester fibre or cotton wool. Virus recovery from fluids containing wooden applicator sticks ranged from no virus recovery in protein free media to from 1 to 10 per cent in protein containing media. Freezing followed by thawing was the most effective of the physical methods used for eluting virus from swab materials.

Bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility of adult chronic dacryocystitis

Chronic dacryocystitis results in chronic infection and inflammation of the lacrimal sac. To identify the aetiology of chronic dacryocystitis and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. A cross - sectional study was undertaken including 120 lacrimal swab materials collected from patients aged above 15 years suffering from chronic dacryocystitis. Data analysis was done by using software "Win pepi'' ver 7.9. The bacteria of eight different species were isolated from 76.66 % (92/120) culture positive samples. 85.86 % showed a single and 14.13 % showed a mixed growth pattern. Coagulase negative staphylococci were the most common bacteria (P= 0.018) accounting for 33.96 % followed by Staphylococcus aureus (25.46 %), Streptococcus pneumoniae ( 19.81 % ), Streptococci viridans (5.66 %), Escherichia coli (5.66 %), Haemophilus spp ( 4.71 % ), Streptococcus pyogenes (3.77 %) and Bacillus spp (0.94 % ). Staphylococcus aureus were the most predominant bacteria in mixed growth. Rate of infection was higher in males 81.39 % than in females 74.02 %. Infection was higher in the age group of above 31 years. In the antimicrobial susceptibility test, except staphylococcus aureus, all the Gram positive isolates were 100 % sensitive to chloramphenicol and were least sensitive to tobramycin, but Gram negative isolates were equally sensitive to Chloramphenicol and Nalidixic acid. Coagulase negative staphylococci are the most frequently isolated bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is predominantly found in mixed growth. Chloramphenicol is the most effective drug of choice for chronic dacryocystitis.

A comparative bacteriological profile and antibiogram of dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is an infection and an inflammation of the lacrimal sac and is an important cause of ocular morbidity in India. To isolate and identify the bacterial patterns associated with dacryocystitis and to determine their antibacterial sensitivity pattern. A total of 100 lacrimal swab materials were subjected to bacterial analysis. Children less than 8 years were not included in the study. The chances of chronic dacryocystitis were more than acute dacryocystitis and were commonly found in the age group of 41 - 50 years. Females were more vulnerable to the infection than males. From a 100 samples a total of 122 bacterial isolates were obtained. Both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were equally distributed in the study. The most common organism associated with the infection was S. aureus. The antibacterial sensitivity showed more effectiveness towards Gram positive isolates than Gram negative isolates. Both Gram positive and Gram negative organism are associated with with chronic dacryocystitis. Knowledge of the bacteriology of dacryocystitis and the susceptibility of the bacteria towards antibiotics will better guide a clinician in the choice of the medication for the most appropriate drug for the treatment.