J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1974 Mar;15(1):57-64.

Studies on Microbial Flora of the Conjunctival Sac in New-born Infants

• Hong YJ

Abstract

Eyes, one of the exposed organs of human body, are prone to be contaminated with vaginal flora during birth(Grunberger and Kofler, 1954) and later in life a normal flora of the eye will be established through contamination from the environments. In this regard, studies have been made on the normal bacterial and fungal flora of conjunctivaI sac and eye lids in an effort to identify the causative agents of ocular infections. Grunberger and Kofler (1954) carried out a simultaneous study of the vaginal flora of the mother and the eye flora of the new-born infant. In his study, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci and sometimes E. coli were transmitted to the infant's eyes during birth. The authors pointed out the failure of silver nitrate to influence parasitism, particularly by staphylococcus aureus. In the study of Hammeke and Ellis (1960) of 52 new-born infants, only 1 was positive for fungus in the conjunctival sac. In Korea, studies have been made on the normal flora of child and adult conjunctival sacs and new-born infant's eye lids (Lee, 1964; Kim, 1965; Kim, 1973). In order to provide basic informations on the causative organisms of ocular infection in infants, studies were made on microbial flora of new-born conjunctival sac among Koreans, not previously reported in this nation.
CONCLUSION
In order to establish the normal flora of the conjunctival sac among new-born Korean infants, isolation and identification of bacteria and fungi was conducted with 185 culture specimens (NSVD new-born infants) and 34 culture specimens (C/S new-born infants) obtined during the period from July to Oct. 1973. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Of 185 culture specimens (NSVD new-born infants) collected, 17 specimens (9.2%) at birth and 99 specimens (53.5%) 2 days later yielded bacterial growth, and 8 specimens (4.3%) at birth and 7 specimens (3.7%) 2 days later provided fungal growth. 2. Among the specimens (NSVD new-born infants) yielding positive growth, growth of a single species of either bacteria or fungi was obtained from 21 specimens (11.3%) at birth and 80 specimens (43.3%) 2 days later. Growth of 2 species was obtained from 4 specimens (2.2%) at birth and 13 specimens (7.0%) 2 days later. No specimen showed of 3 or more species. 3. Among the incidences of isolation of bacterial species (NSVD new-born infants), S. aureus (2.8%) was the one with the highest frequency of isolation at birth and was followed by S epidermidis (2.2%) and Streptococcus viridans (1.6%). At two days later, S. epidermidis. (23.5%), S aureous (21.9%) and Diphtheroid (2.8%) were found in order of lower frequencies 4. Among the incidences of isolation of fungal species (NSVD new-born infants), Candida albicans(3.3%) was the one with the highest frequency of isolation and was followed by Penicillium sp. (0.5%) and Cladosporium sp. (0.5%)at birth. At two days later, Aspergillus sp (1.6%), Penicillium sp. (1.1%), Cephalosporium sp. (0.5%) and Cephalothecium sp. (0.5%) were found in order of lower frequencies. 5. Of 34 culture specimens (C/S new-born infants) collected, there was no growth of bacteria and fungi at birth, but 20 specimens (58.8%) yielded bacterial-growth and 2 specimens (5.8%) provided fungal growth 2 days later. 6. Among the incidences of isolation of bacterial species (C/S new-born infants) 2 days later, S. epidermidis (26.5%) was the one with the highest frequency of isolation and was followed by S. aureus (23.5%), Gram-negative bacillus (5.9%) and Streptococcus viridans (2.9%) in order, and only 2 species of fungi (Cephalothecium sp. 0.5% and Hormodendrum sp. 0.5%) were isolated. 7. There was little difference in the incidences of isolation of bacteria and fungi between the culture specimens of NSVD (2 days after silver nitrate treated) and C/S (2 days after silver nitrate non-treated) new-born infants.

MeSH Terms

Acremonium
Adult
Aspergillus
Bacillus
Bacteria
Candida
Child
Cladosporium
Eye Infections
Fungi
Human Body
Humans
Incidence
Infant*
Korea
Mothers
Parturition
Penicillium
Silver Nitrate
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Viridans Streptococci
Silver Nitrate