Infectious Conjunctivitis Case Study 2022

Running Head: CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University
Author Note

1CASE STUDY
1. Background of the case study (Total: 5 marks)
1.1 What is infectious conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis or pink eye is referred as the inflammation of conjunctiva which is a
thin, transparent mucous membrane covering the anterior part of sclera and inside
of the eyelids(Azari& Barney, 2013).When conjunctivitis is caused by viruses,
bacteria and fungi, the type of conjunctivitis is referred as infectious conjunctivitis.
Infectious conjunctivitis is one of the most commonly seen eye disorders in
ophthalmology. The patient suffers from redness of the eye, tearing, and white
sticky discharge (Azari& Barney, 2013).In the Case study of John, it has been
found that John is suffering from acute bacterial (infectious) conjunctivitis. John’s
eye was found red and swollen with white sticky (purulent) discharge.
1.2 Of the fourmicro-organisms listed below, justify which one is more likely to be the
cause of John’s eye infection. Indicate why the other micro-organisms from the list are
least likely to cause the infection.
Legionella pneumophila
Yes or no, with reason:
No. According to literature review, in adult population infectious conjunctivitis is
commonly caused by viruses and bacteria. The most common pathogens for
bacterial conjunctivitis in adults are staphylococcal species, along with
Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza (Azari& Barney, 2013).
This micro-organism has no link with John’s eye infection. Legionella
pneumophila is a type of bacterium belongs to the genus group of Legionella.
Presence of this microorganism results into symptoms that includes cough,
shortness of breath, feeling of nausea, and some minor mental
changes(Chikviladze et al., 2015).According to the case study of John, the
examined symptoms do not match with the above mentioned symptoms.

2CASE STUDY
Plasmodium ovale
Yes or no, with reason:
No. Infectious conjunctivitis is caused only by viruses, bacteria and fungi. As
Plasmodium ovale is a parasitic protozoa, it is not responsible for developing
infectious conjunctivitis(Azari& Barney, 2013). Plasmodium ovale also has no
link with John’s eye infection as it is a parasitic protozoa usually responsible for
malaria.
Adenovirus
Yes or no, with reason:
No. Though in adult population infectious conjunctivitis is predominantly caused
by viruses. 65%-90% cases of infectious conjunctivitis are developed due to
adenoviruses(Messmer,2015).In this case study of John adenovirus is not the
responsible for infectious conjunctivitis as the doctor suggested gentamicin (which
is an antibiotic) that has no effect on viruses.
Staphylococcus aureus
Yes or no, with reason:
Yes. Staphylococcus species are predominantly responsible for the development of
infectious conjunctivitis in adult population(Azari& Barney, 2013). The most
common pathogens for bacterial conjunctivitis in adults are staphylococcal species,
along with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza (Azari&
Barney, 2013).According to Azari and Barney (2013), symptoms of acute bacterial
conjunctivitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus include red-eye, purulent sticky
discharge from eye, eye pain and irritation. John has been diagnosed with the

3CASE STUDY
same.
2. Mechanism of action and adverse reactions (Total: 5 marks)
2.1 Describe the mechanism of action of gentamicin?
Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside bactericidal antibiotic.
Gentamicin exerts its function when the infectious conjunctivitis is caused by
bacteria(Farouk, Azzazy, &Niessen, 2015). The mechanism of gentamicin
involves prevention of bacterial translation (Bullock &Manias, 2017). Gentamicin
strongly binds to the 30S-subunit and 16S ribosomal RNA of ribosome, thereby
causing interruption in the formation of initiation complex. As an aminoglycoside,
gentamicin "irreversibly" binds to 30S-subunit proteins and 16S ribosomal
RNA .Detailed mechanism of action includes binding of gentamicin with four
nucleotides of 16S ribosomal RNA and an amino acid of protein S12. This inhibits
the deciphering site in the vicinity of nucleotide at the 1400th position in 16S rRNA
of 30S subunit of ribosome. This, in turn, interacts with the wobble base in the
anticodon position of transfer RNA, interfering the formation of initiation
complex(Hao, Dong & Wu, 2015). This causes misreading of mRNA and as a
consequence inappropriate amino acids are introduced into the polypeptide chain
leading to the generation of truncated peptides or toxic peptides (Hao, Dong &Wu,
2015).
2.2 Name two adverse reactions of this drug?
Two adverse reactions of this drug are ocular burning and irritation.
3. Physiological basis of signs (Total: 10 marks)
3.1 sign 1: