Which statement is true about gonococcal conjunctivitis?

• A. It is the only bacterial conjunctivitis that can cause pseudomembranes
• B. It is always self-limiting without antibiotics
• C. It never presents with preauricular lymphadenopathy
• D. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

Answer: (A)

Gonococcal conjunctivitis typically presents as a hyperacute, very purulent conjunctivitis that can form pseudomembranes on the conjunctiva. Those pseudomembranes are a fibrinous, adherent layer of inflammatory exudate, which is a hallmark feature associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. Because of this distinctive membrane formation, the statement that it is the only bacterial conjunctivitis capable of producing pseudomembranes is considered the best choice in this context. This infection demands urgent systemic antibiotics to prevent rapid progression to corneal involvement or perforation.

It’s not a self-limiting infection and unchecked disease can lead to serious complications, so relying on no antibiotics would be inappropriate. While severe infection can be accompanied by other signs such as preauricular lymphadenopathy, saying it never presents with those nodes isn’t accurate. Finally, the causative organism is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, not Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes a different form of infectious conjunctivitis.