Abstract:
Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to identify
the organisms responsible and to determine the antibiotic
susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates from conjunctiva and
nasal mucosa in cases of chronic dacryocystitis and comparing
with lacrimal sac specimen.
Design: Prospective longitudinal study.
Methods: A prospective analysis of 44 lacrimal sac contents of
patients with chronic dacryocystitis conducted during the period
from April 2012 to March 2013. Material was obtained directly
from the lacrimal sac while making sac flap during external
dacryocystorhinostomy for chronic dacryocystitis. Samples were
also collected from ipsilateral conjunctiva and inferior meatus of
nose. The specimens were cultured and results analyzed.
Results: All the patients were in age group of 30 and above. Gram
positive bacteria i.e., Coagulase negative staphylococci and
Staphylococcus aureus were the most common isolates (71%
and 14% respectively). Vancomycin, amikacin, 3rd generation
cephalosporins and amoxyclav were most sensitive antibiotics
(100%, 89%, 83%, and 78% respectively). Comparison between
lacrimal and nasal/conjunctival isolates showed high degree of
identicalness between the isolates of two sites (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: Majority of the chronic dacryocystitis cases are
caused by Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Staphy-
lococcus aureus. Amoxyclav and 3rd generation cephalosporins
can be used to treat chronic dacryocystitis. Commensal flora
of nose and conjunctiva have a direct role in pathogenesis of
chronic dacryocystitis.
