EC Ophthalmology

Background: Conjunctival bacterial infections are common among children living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps due to poor hygiene and crowded living conditions. This study aimed to identify the bacterial isolates from conjunctival swabs of children residing in IDP camps in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children under 18 years old living in IDP camps in Makurdi. Conjunctival swabs were collected from 100 participants who met the inclusion criteria. The swabs were cultured on various media including blood agar, MacConkey agar, and nutrient agar. Bacterial identification was performed using Gram staining and biochemical tests. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.

Results: Out of 100 samples, bacterial growth was observed in 89 cases. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (39%), followed by Bacillus spp. (25%), and Streptococcus spp. (16%). Other isolates included Escherichia coli (6%), Enterococcus spp. (2%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (1%). No bacterial growth was observed in 11% of the samples. Gender distribution showed a slightly higher prevalence of bacterial isolates among females (52%) compared to males (48%).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus indicates it as a primary bacterial pathogen associated with conjunctival infections in children at IDP camps. This suggests the need for improved hygiene and targeted interventions to reduce bacterial transmission.

 Keywords: Conjunctival Swabs; IDP Camps; Bacterial Isolates; Staphylococcus aureus; Conjunctival Infections

1. Ogawa H., et al. “Advances in understanding conjunctival immunity and its clinical implications”. Current Eye Research10 (2022): 1543-1556.
2. Sánchez FS., et al. “Bacterial conjunctivitis in underserved populations: Epidemiology and challenges”. The Lancet Global Health3 (2021): 184-190.
3. Aigbiremolen A., et al. “Hygiene practices and prevalence of infectious diseases in internally displaced persons camps in Nigeria”. Journal of Public Health in Africa4 (2021): 23-30.
4. Raji MO., et al. “Ocular bacterial infections among children in Nigeria: A 10-year retrospective study”. Journal of Ophthalmic Infections and Inflammation1 (2020): 45-51.
5. Bello AR., et al. “Antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial conjunctivitis in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review”. African Journal of Microbiology Research2 (2023): 112-121.
6. Adetokunbo RA., et al. “Healthcare delivery challenges in IDP camps in Benue State, Nigeria”. African Health Sciences3 (2022): 289-298.
7. Ukase PI and Terungwa PJ. “Socio-economic consequences of conflict: The predicament of internally displaced persons in Benue State”. African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research5 (2022): 10-26.
8. Airaodion AI., et al. “Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in Men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Osun State, Nigeria”. Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science6 (2023): 45-52.
9. Adamu AT., et al. “Prevalence of conjunctival bacterial isolates in primary school children in Kano State, Nigeria”. Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology2 (2023): 120-128.
10. Zhang X and Wang Y. “Epidemiology of bacterial conjunctivitis in children: A global perspective”. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal9 (2022): 765-771.
11. Ezenwa CC and Omoniyi T. “Environmental exposure and bacterial colonization of the conjunctiva in children”. African Journal of Microbiology Research3 (2021): 178-185.
12. Olayinka BA and Olukemi FT. “Transmission dynamics of bacterial conjunctivitis in overcrowded settlements”. Journal of Community Health5 (2023): 502-510.
13. Oluwole RT and Adeoye FA. “Fecal contamination and bacterial ocular infections in IDP camps”. Journal of Environmental Health Research6 (2022): 421-430.
14. Prescott LM and Harley JP. “Microbiology: An Introduction”. 13^th Pearson (2021).
15. Kim HJ and Park JS. “Antibiotic resistance patterns of conjunctival bacterial isolates in urban and rural populations”. Journal of Infectious Diseases4 (2023): 320-328.
16. Obiora JU and Emechebe NL. “Identification of fastidious bacteria in ocular infections using advanced molecular techniques”. Nigerian Journal of Medical Microbiology4 (2022): 211-218.
17. Mishra RS and Nwanze T. “Conjunctival bacterial flora in children of IDP camps: A case study”. Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology1 (2019): 37-44.
18. Akinjogunla OJ and Enabulele IO. “Virulence factors, plasmid and antibiotic resistance profiles of multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from patients with acute otitis media”. American Journal of Clinical Medicine3 (2010): 12-18.
19. Olaniyi T and Lawal O. “Morphological characteristics of bacterial isolates from ocular samples in Nigeria”. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology2 (2020): 122-130.
20. Isibor O and Ohenhen E. “Hygienic practices and their influence on ocular bacterial infections in displaced populations”. Journal of Public Health in Developing Countries2 (2022): 112-119.
21. Asena M., et al. “Antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in ocular infections”. Current Eye Research5 (2021): 623-629.
22. Eze O and Orji K. “The incidence of Bacillus species in conjunctival swabs: Environmental and health implications”. Clinical Microbiology4 (2023): 158-165.
23. Adebayo SO., et al. “Prevalence of Escherichia coli in conjunctival infections: An epidemiological survey”. Journal of Infectious Diseases3 (2021): 145-154.
24. Chinenye CC and Nwachukwu E. “Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of ocular isolates from IDP camps in Nigeria”. African Journal of Microbiology Research7 (2020): 420-428.
25. Obi MI and Ekpenyong B. “Prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae in ocular infections: Implications for public health”. Journal of Medical Microbiology3 (2022): 324-330.
26. Nnaji GA and Ukatu MI. “Fecal indicators in conjunctival swabs from children in displaced camps”. BMC Public Health1 (2022): 567-573.
27. Ahmed R., et al. “The role of Streptococcus species in conjunctival infections among children in rural areas”. Ophthalmic Research2 (2021): 92-101.
28. Yusuf SE and Abubakar A. “Ocular bacterial infections in children of Northern Nigerian IDP camps: A microbiological analysis”. Ophthalmology International4 (2019): 198-204.