Spectrum and the susceptibilities of microbial isolates in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the microbial profile of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and the appropriate antimicrobial agents based on the sensitivity pattern of the isolated microorganisms. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-eight eyes of 187 young children in the age group of 0-5 years with CNLDO were included in the study. A group of 40 children (80 eyes) who had attended the hospital for other ocular disorders was considered a control. Material obtained from the lacrimal sac was cultured, and infectious agents were isolated. Susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method for 7 different antibiotics. Fisher's exact test was used to look for statistical associations between the age group, the type of discharge, and the type of microorganisms isolated. RESULTS: Of the 238 samples with a clinical diagnosis of CNLDO, 197 (83%) yielded a positive culture. There was no growth in 41 samples (17%). Altogether, there were 217 isolates. One hundred twenty-four (57%) isolates were Gram-positive bacteria, the most frequent isolate being Streptococcus pneumoniae. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 93 (43%) of the isolates, the most frequent isolate being Haemophilus influenza. There was one fungal isolate (0.5%) of Candida tropicalis. Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to chloramphenicol, vancomycin, and ofloxacin and Gram-negative bacteria to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic dacryocystitis caused by CNLDO is associated with an almost-equal proportion of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ofloxacin topical drops can be used in the treatment of cases with CNLDO.