Clinico-bacteriological study of chronic dacryocystitis cases in northern karnataka, India.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the organisms responsible and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates from conjunctiva and nasal mucosa in cases of chronic dacryocystitis and comparing with lacrimal sac specimen.

DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study.

METHODS: A prospective analysis of 44 lacrimal sac contents of patients with chronic dacryocystitis conducted during the period from April 2012 to March 2013. Material was obtained directly from the lacrimal sac while making sac flap during external dacryocystorhinostomy for chronic dacryocystitis. Samples were also collected from ipsilateral conjunctiva and inferior meatus of nose. The specimens were cultured and results analyzed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The results were analyzed by using Chi-square (χ(2)) test.

RESULTS: All the patients were in age group of 30 and above. Gram positive bacteria i.e., Coagulase negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common isolates (71% and 14% respectively). Vancomycin, amikacin, 3(rd) generation cephalosporins and amoxyclav were most sensitive antibiotics (100%, 89%, 83%, and 78% respectively). Comparison between lacrimal and nasal/conjunctival isolates showed high degree of identicalness between the isolates of two sites (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Majority of the chronic dacryocystitis cases are caused by Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Amoxyclav and 3(rd) generation cephalosporins can be used to treat chronic dacryocystitis. Commensal flora of nose and conjunctiva have a direct role in pathogenesis of chronic dacryocystitis.