Premium
BACTERIAL FLORA OF THE NORMAL CONJUNCTIVA I. TOPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Author(s) -
FAHMY J. A.,
MØLLER S.,
BENTZON M. WEIS
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1974.tb01115.x
Subject(s) - conjunctiva , flora (microbiology) , bacilli , staphylococcus , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacterial conjunctivitis , staphylococcus aureus , bacteria , antibiotics , immunology , genetics
The bacterial flora of 100 normal conjunctivas was studied. Staphylococcus albus and corynebacteria were the most common microorganisms recovered, followed by Staphylococcus aureus , gram‐negative bacilli and streptococci. The topographical distribution of S. albus and corynebacteria on 12 different anatomical regions of the conjunctiva was examined, and showed that both bacteria occurred less frequently on the bulbar regions. No differences between the upper and lower parts, nor between the outer and inner regions could be found. A culture obtained from the lower fornical and tarsal conjunctiva revealed about 93% of S. albus and corynebacteria actually harbouring on the conjunctiva. The instillation of anaesthetic eye drops (0.2% benoxinate hydrochloride) immediately before obtaining cultures was seen to alter the preexisting bacterial distribution on the conjunctiva to preponderance in its lower parts, presumably by a “washing out” effect.