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A cross-sectional study on epidemic conjunctivitis at a tertiary eye care centre in North India
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A cross-sectional study on epidemic conjunctivitis at a tertiary eye care centre in North India

Kirti Singh, Aastha Singh, Arshi Singh, Vikas Manchanda, Anju Sharma, Frank Arthur, Sanjay Mishra and Sonal Saxena
Medical journal. Armed Forces India, Forthcoming
Aug 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2025.07.001

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance Bacterial culture Epidemic conjunctivitis Monsoon Viral pathogen
The aim was to study the clinical profile and microbiological aetiology of clinically diagnosed conjunctivitis cases that presented between July and August 2023 at a tertiary eye care centre in North India. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Demographic and clinical features were recorded and analysed. Conjunctival swabs for bacterial culture and sensitivity were analysed in clinically suspected cases of bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for a subcohort of cases (n = 19) was additionally done to identify the type of virus, if any. A total of 3154 patients of conjunctivitis were observed over this period of the outbreak, which at its peak comprised 92.4% of cases in emergency services and 6.8% of cases in the outpatient services. Diffuse conjunctival congestion (100%, 3154), lid oedema (29.8%, 940), and subconjunctival haemorrhage (23.4%, 740) were the most common manifestations observed. Conjunctival swabs from 352 patients with suspected bacterial aetiology yielded growth in 26.1% (92) of samples. Staphylococci were the most common isolates, with maximal sensitivity to gentamicin (90.2%) followed by cefuroxime (85.9%) and tobramycin (81.5%) and minimal susceptibility to fourth generation fluoroquinolones (48.9%). A viral pathogen was detected in 15 of the 19 cases analysed for viral aetiology. Enterovirus was isolated in 13 samples and adenovirus in 2 of the samples. All age groups were affected with the majority of patients presenting with mild disease without sight-threatening corneal involvement. An emerging resistance of ocular commensals due to probable overuse of fluoroquinolone eye drops in practice was observed from sensitivity reports in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis. Enterovirus was the most common virus detected on viral PCR in a subcohort of patients.

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