Bacterial etiologic agents of ocular infection in children in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Bacterial agents of ocular infection were studied in 485 children under 14 years of age from October 1993 to February 1995. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteriological methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were used. Conjunctivitis was the most common clinical feature (77.9%). Bacterial agents were detected in the ocular samples of 66.8% of children and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative agent, being responsible for 28% of all cases. The frequency of ocular infection in patients aged 0-2 years was significantly higher than other age groups (P = 0.04). Approximately 84% of all bacteria were sensitive to chloramphenicol.