Which organism is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in adults?

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Study for the NBEO Ocular Disease Part 1 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to prepare for your exam! Get ready for your success!

Multiple Choice

Which organism is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in adults?

Explanation:
Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults because it readily colonizes the skin and eyelids and easily contaminates the conjunctival surface, making infection a frequent event. Clinically, it often presents with redness, a gritty sensation, and purulent discharge that crusts the lids, and it can be unilateral at first. Other organisms do occur, but they’re less common in adults: Moraxella species are more associated with angular conjunctivitis and chronic lid disease; Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae are more typical causes in children due to different patterns of nasopharyngeal colonization.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults because it readily colonizes the skin and eyelids and easily contaminates the conjunctival surface, making infection a frequent event. Clinically, it often presents with redness, a gritty sensation, and purulent discharge that crusts the lids, and it can be unilateral at first. Other organisms do occur, but they’re less common in adults: Moraxella species are more associated with angular conjunctivitis and chronic lid disease; Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae are more typical causes in children due to different patterns of nasopharyngeal colonization.

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