Conjunctival normal flora at Kenyatta National Hospital and Kikuyu Eye Unit, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To determine the spectrum of normal bacterial flora inhabiting the normal conjunctiva. Design: Retrospective study Setting: University of Nairobi, Microbiology laboratory and Kikuyu Eye Unit Subjects: Asymptomatic volunteers at Kenyatta National Hospital and Kikuyu Eye Unit with no signs of anterior segment infections or pathology at slit lamp examination Results: From the 264 volunteers a total of 132 cases were positive for microbial flora. Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CNS) was the most isolated organism accounting for 41.7%, S.aureus was 28%, Propionibacterium 7.6% and Diphtheroids 6.1%. 86.2% of the volunteers had a single isolate whereas 13.8% had 2 organisms isolated. 80% of the organisms were Gram positive organisms. Conclusion: The percentage of positivity of the conjunctival normal flora and the pattern of the bacterial flora is similar to other regions of the world.