Search Results

Abstract

Keywords:

Abstract

Unvaccinated identical twins developed bilateral anterior uveitis soon after the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms. During follow-up, both patients developed choroiditis, and one twine developed posterior scleritis and serous retinal detachment. Prompt treatment with oral prednisone ameliorated the lesions, and no recurrence was observed at the 18-month follow-up. Choroiditis may rarely be associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and it responds well to corticosteroid therapy. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, we hypothesize that the virus may act as an immunological trigger for choroiditis.

Keywords: Choroiditis; Coronavirus; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Uveitis

Abstract

PURPOSE: The microbiology pattern of neonatal conjunctivitis has changed over time, and the incidence of gonococcal conjunctivitis is almost nil. This study aimed to determine the etiology of neonatal conjunctivitis cases referred to a tertiary health center in Brazil.
METHODS: From 2017 to 2020, conjunctival swabs were taken from neonates with clinical signs of conjunctivitis and tested with bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis.
RESULTS: A total of 51 neonates were included in the 3-year study. Chlamydial conjunctivitis was diagnosed in 39 (76.5%) patients, and microbial growth was detected in 13 (25.5%) patients. The most isolated bacterium was Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=6, 11.8%), followed by other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (n=4, 7.8%) and S. aureus (n=2, 3.9%). One S. aureus isolate was resistant to oxacillin. There were no cases of gonococcal conjunctivitis. Ten (19.6%) patients showed polymerase chain reaction-negative C. trachomatis and negative bacterial culture test results.
CONCLUSION: Findings show that C. trachomatis is the most common pathogen causing neonatal conjunctivitis. The high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection highlights the importance of screening and treating pregnant woman.

Keywords: Conjunctivitis; Infant, newborn, diseases; Ophthalmia neonatorum; Chlamydia infections; Sexually transmitted diseases