The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of coagulase negative staphylococci; a major ocular normal flora

Abstract

Objective: To describe the changing drug sensitivity patterns for Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS), the most commonly isolated bacteria of the conjunctival normal flora Design: Descriptive retrospective study Setting: University of Nairobi, Department of Ophthalmology and Kikuyu Eye Unit from January 1994 to December 1997 Subjects: 55 asymptomatic volunteers at KNH and KEU with no signs of ocular infections or ocular surface abnormalities who tested positive for Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS). Results: There was high resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics like amoxicillin, aminoglycosides, the 1st and 2nd generation fl ouroquinolones accept ofl oxacin and tetracycline whereas chloramphenicol, carbenicillin, polymixin B and cephalexin maintained a high sensitivity. Conclusion: The percentage of positive fi nding of CNS of the conjunctival normal fl ora is comparable to that in other regions of the world. Sensitivity patterns on the newer generation antibiotics which are being used more frequently in the region should be studied in subsequent studies.