The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of s. aureus; an ocular normal flora

Abstract

Objective: To determine the changing of drug sensitivity patterns for s. aureas as the second commonest bacteria of the conjunctival normal fl ora in Nairobi, Kenya Design: Descriptive retrospective study Setting: University of Nairobi, Department of Ophthalmology and Kikuyu Eye Unit Subjects: 37 (28%) asymptomatic volunteers at KNH and KEU with no signs of ocular infections or ocular surface abnormalities from January 1994 to December 1997 were selected. Results: A total of 37 cases were tested positive for S. aureus. The micro organism showed high resistance to amoxtcillin, aminoglycosides, 1st and 2nd generation Flouroquinolones except Ofl oxacin and tetracycline. It was sensitive to carbenocillin, polymyxin B and chloramphenocol and highly sensitive to Cephalexin and ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The percentage of positive fi nding of S. aureus of the conjunctival normal flora is comparable to that in other regions of the world. We found a high resistance to most of the commonly locally prescribed antibiotics.