Abstract:
In a case control study of 426 unselected
deliveries at the De Soysa Hospital for Women,
85 (20%) infants had conjunctivitis. Chlamydia
species (spp) and viruses were not detected.
Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest
pathogen isolated and was detected in 47oh of
cases. Klebsiella spp was isolated from Z7oh.
Pseudomonas spp, Streptococcus oiridana and
coliform isolation rates were not significantly
different to that of controls, although
significantly higher counts of bacteria were
found in the cases. Therefore it would be more
useful to the clinician if the taboratory report
indicated the severity of infection.
Only 51% of the isolates were sensitive to the
conventionally used antibiotic, chloramphenicol.
Treatment with saline washes appear to be
sufficient in the first few days of the illness as
there is spontaneous resolution of clinical
appearance within 48-72 hr in a majority of
patients.
