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Abstract
A study was conducted in Nacogdoches County to ascertain the infectious agents associated with conjunctivitis in two distinct populations: children (ages 0–17) and adults (ages 18 and above). The assistance of 11 primary and secondary care physicians was elicited for the collection of clinical samples and personal histories. Control samples were also collected from volunteers. All samples were submitted for standard bacterial characterization or screened using a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining method. Clinical samples yielded a bacterial recovery rate of 45% for both children and adults. Unilateral involvement was most common. Clinical isolates were predominately of the genus Staphylococcus and included S. epidermidis (46%), S. aureus (8%), S. haemolyticus (23%), and S. intemedius (8%), as well as the closely related genus Micrococcus (15%). A substantial number of diphtheroids were also isolated (23%) indicating their potential role in bacterial conjunctivitis. Using DFA, adenovirus was detected in two of the non-culturable samples.
