Corynebacterium macginleyi: a conjunctiva specific pathogen. Issue 12 (1st December 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joussen, Antonia M; Funke, Guido; Joussen, Frank; Herbertz, Georg
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 84:Issue 12(2000)
• Page Start: 1420
• Page End: 1422
• Publication Date: 2000-12-01
• Subjects: bacterial conjunctivitis -- corynebacteria -- antibiotics; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.84.12.1420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Although non-diphtherial corynebacteria are ubiquitous in nature and commonly colonise the skin and mucous membranes of humans, they rarely account for clinical infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: 10 patients with unilateral conjunctivitis are described in which Corynebacterium macginleyi was isolated. This species has only recently been reported to be exclusively isolated form ocular surfaces. C macginleyi was uniformly susceptible to topical antibiotics commonly used in ophthalmology. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the pathogenicity of C macginleyi is not yet assured, this micro-organism should be recognised as a potential cause of bacterial superinfections. Appropriate antibiotic therapy leads to its elimination and resolution of the conjunctivitis.