Biomedical subjects

H Fedukowicz

Publications and source records attributed to H Fedukowicz.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1983

Laboratory studies in chronic conjunctivitis.

Conjunctival cultures and scrapings for cytological examination were done in 852 cases of chronic conjunctivitis. Bacteria were recovered in 464. Of these, Staphylococcus sp were isolated in 91%; their etiologic importance over normal flora is questionable. Important cytological findings included atypical epithelium (three cases), Halberstaedter-Prowazek inclusion bodies (two), and eosinophils (104). Epithelial degenerative changes were common (585 cases). Crystals (105) and microorganisms (283) were other frequent findings. Active infection seems to be an uncommon cause of chronic conjunctivitis. Cultures are important in avoiding unnecessary antibiotic therapy when no organism is present. Cytological examination can be a helpful diagnostic adjunct in selected cases and is to be recommended especially in chronic follicular conjunctivitis, possible drug toxicity or allergy, dry eye states, and other atypical clinical presentations.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1982

Laboratory studies in acute conjunctivitis.

In 84% of 700 consecutive cases of untreated acute conjunctivitis subjected to conjunctival cultures and scrapings, a presumptive etiologic diagnosis could be made based on standard microbiologic and cytologic criteria. Of these 583 cases, 264 were bacterial, 245 were viral, 51 were allergic, and 17 were chlamydial. In 75% of the cases, clinical impressions were consistent with laboratory findings. On the basis of these results, laboratory workup is recommended in (1) follicular conjunctivitis to differentiate viral from chlamydial processes, (2) purulent conjunctivitis to identify pathogens and decide on appropriate antimicrobial therapy based on sensitivity data, and (3) those cases in which the clinical picture is not sufficiently distinctive to suggest an etiologic diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1981

Conjunctivitis in the newborn: observations on incidence, cause, and prophylaxis.

One hundred seventy-one cases of neonatal conjunctivitis seen at Bellevue Hospital during the period 1950--1976 were reviewed. An overall incidence of 3.0 cases per 1,000 live births was found. A comparison of the rates of neonatal conjunctivitis with silver nitrate and tetracycline prophylaxis revealed a 100% increase in the rate overall, as well as the rate of gonococcal conjunctivitis with tetracycline. Using conjunctival cultures and cytology, a diagnosis could be established in 73% of the cases, with 41% being bacterial and 32% chlamydial. Staphylococcus was the single most common organism recovered; gonococcus was relatively rare.

Bacterial Infections↗