Bacteria associated with ocular infections of out-patients visiting optical clinic in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was done to determine the prevalence and types of bacteria associated with ocular infections from out-patients attending optical clinic in Owerri, Imo State at the time of study. Eye swab specimens were collected aseptically from the conjunctival sac of each patient using sterile swab sticks. A total of fifty specimens were collected from patients comprising fourteen (14) males and thirty-six (36) females with ocular infections. Standard microbiological and biochemical investigations were carried out on the samples to isolate and identify the organisms involved. Results revealed that all specimens had bacterial growth. A total of fifty seven (57) bacterial isolates were obtained out of which 35 (61.4%) were Gram positive and 22 (38.6%) Gram negative. Mixed bacterial infections were observed in some specimen. The isolates fell into eleven species with varying prevalence as follows; Bacillus subtilis was the predominant species, 17 (29.8%) recovered followed by Corynebacterium sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the same prevalence of 8 (14.0%). Haemophilus sp. had a prevalence of 7 (12.3%), Staphylococcus aureus, 5 (8.8%) and Lactobacillus sp. 3 (5.3%). Klebsiella sp., Citrobacter sp. and Proteus sp. had same prevalence 2 (3.5%) while Streptococcus, Listeria and Neisseria spp. were the least isolated with 1 (1.8%) respectively. The mean viable count/prevalence rate was higher with the female gender while the age group 31 - 40 years had highest mean viable count. This implies that broad spectrum bacterial species are associated with ocular infections in Imo State at varying prevalence rates which are seemingly high. There is therefore need for proper diagnosis of eyes infections to ascertain the type and abundance of bacteria involved before administration of treatment regimen.