Question

A 4-month-old boy presented with a 1-day history of a discharge, conjunctival swelling in both eyes. His mother brought him into her pediatrician because she noticed what appeared to be an external eye infection. His birth and developmental history were uncomplicated, and his medical history was unremarkable. On ocular examination, the doctor observed conjunctival swelling and a noticeable discharge in both eyes. Physical examination revealed a temperature of 38.8°C. Computed tomography (cat scan) revealed no evidence of orbital cellulitis or sinusitis. A conjunctival swab was taken and sent for culture & sensitivity by the local hospital laboratory.

An organism was isolated from the discharge swab. It was a Gram negative rod which required heme and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to grow on agar. Results of antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed sensitivity to several antibiotics including cefmenoxime and cefdinir. However, the boy responded best to treatment with levofloxacin ophthalmic solution, and the conjunctivitis with lid swelling resolved within 10 days.

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What was the pathogenic organism which caused the conjunctivitis in this child?

Answer 1

A 4-month-old boy presented with a 1-day history of a discharge, conjunctival swelling in both eyes. His mother brought him into her pediatrician because she noticed what appeared to be an external eye infection.

This eye infection looks like a Haemophilus influenza conjunctivitis because all the features showing in this case study is similar to Haemophilus influenza infection.

1. Haemophilus influenza is a Gram-negative and rod-shaped bacteria.

2. It requires heme and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to grow on agar.

3. It is sensitive to levofloxacin.

4. Signs and symptoms of Haemophilus influenza conjunctivitis are discharge from both eye, conjunctival swelling in both eyes.

Answer - Pathogenic organism is Haemophilus influenza.