This Template Must be Used to Answer the Case Study 2022

This template must be used to answer the case study.
(Please type your answers within the box underneath each question)
Student name (LAST NAME first name):
Student number:
Campus:
Tutorial session (time and room no.):
Tutor’s name:
1. Background of the case study (Total: 5 marks)
1.1 What is infectious conjunctivitis?
The term infectious conjunctivitis refers to a type of eye infection, in which the
inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent, thin membrane covering the
front of the eye and interior of the eyelids, is caused due to a bacteria or virus attack. It can
be identified by the some common symptoms like redness, tearing or increased sensitivity
of the eye.
1.2 Of the four micro-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:
Legionella pneumophila is a species of gram-negative bacteria, which can colonise in the
water, and can cause conjunctivitis if the patient’s eye is exposed to the contaminated
water. The conjunctivitis caused would have the same basic symptoms mentioned in the
case study. Even though Gentamicin can be used against most species of gram-negative
bacteria, Legionella pneumophila is not likely to cause the disease. If it does cause the
infection, then the water supply of the nursing home where John is residing, has to be
considered contaminated.

Plasmodium ovale
Yes or no, with reason:
Plasmodium ovale is essentially a malarial parasite, which does not cause conjunctivitis or
pink eye. The only eye disease it causes is Malarial Retinopathy, where the parasite
disrupts the supply of oxygen and nutrients from the brain to the eye, leading to the unique
whitening of blood vessels in the eye. Thus, this is the least likely out of the four to cause
the conjunctivitis.
Adenovirus
Yes or no, with reason:
Adenovirus can cause viral conjunctivitis which is highly contagious and portray similar
symptoms; however, the viral conjunctivitis fails to produce any purulent and sticky ooze
or discharge from the eye. Moreover, Gentamicin is only prescribed for bacterial infections
and not viral ones, making it very less likely for Adenovirus to cause the infection in the
case study.

Staphylococcus aureus
Yes or no, with reason:
Staphylococcus aureus can cause infectious conjunctivitis in individuals,
portraying symptoms like redness and swelling of the eye, and sticky discharge,
which is similar to those mentioned in the case study. The discharge can be
considered as pus, a very common and unique symptom in case of bacterial eye
infections. It is also mentioned that the patient doesn’t suffer from any temporary
loss of vision nor had any difficulty seeing, as gram-positive conjunctivitis
infections are generally milder compared to the ones caused by gram-negative
bacteria (Watson, Cabrera-Aguas & Khoo, 2018).
Gentamicin is an antibiotic used mainly against bacterial infections caused by
several gram-negative bacteria like - E.coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and gram-
positive bacteria like Staphylococcus. The case study also mentions that the
doctor prescribed the John with Gentamicin eye drops. Thus, it is highly possible
for this infection to be caused by Staphylococcus aureus.