J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2022 Sep;63(9):790-794. 10.3341/jkos.2022.63.9.790.

Two Cases of Adult Inclusion Conjunctivitis Masquerading as Chronic Conjunctivitis

• Park KW
• Yun SH
• Jeong DE
• Koh JW

• KMID: 2533726
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2022.63.9.790

Abstract

Purpose
To report two cases of adult inclusion conjunctivitis masquerading as chronic conjunctivitis.
Case summary
(Case 1) A 34-year-old man presented with a foreign body sensation in his right eye for 2 months. At the first visit, slit lamp examination showed follicles on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive. The patient was prescribed doxycycline for 1 week, which improved the symptoms, followed by gentamicin and levofloxacin for an additional 5 days, which further improved the clinical symptoms and conjunctivitis. (Case 2) A 39-year-old man presented with right eye pain and redness for 5 months. At the first visit, slit lamp examination showed follicles on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Chlamydia trachomatis IgM antibody and PCR tests were positive. After 1 week of doxycycline treatment, the clinical symptoms and conjunctivitis improved.
Conclusions
Because adult inclusion conjunctivitis caused by chlamydial infection has non-specific symptoms, it can be misdiagnosed as chronic conjunctivitis. A detailed medical history and appropriate diagnostic tests are necessary to make this diagnosis.

Keyword

Adult inclusion conjunctivitis; Chlamydia trachomatis; Polymerase chain reaction; Sexually transmitted disease