A causative agent of the form of conjunctivitis known as pinkeye is which organism?

A causative agent of the form of conjunctivitis known as pinkeye is which organism?

• A. Haemophilus aegyptius
• B. Moraxella lacunata
• C. Chlamydia trachomatis
• D. Klebsiella ozaenae

Answer: (A)

Pinkeye refers to an acute bacterial conjunctivitis classically associated with Haemophilus aegyptius, a fastidious gram-negative coccobacillus that requires X and V factors (hemin and NAD) to grow and is often linked to this pink, mucus‑purulent form of conjunctivitis. While other organisms can cause conjunctival infections, Moraxella lacunata is more commonly tied to angular conjunctivitis, Chlamydia trachomatis causes inclusion conjunctivitis or trachoma, and Klebsiella ozaenae is associated with ozena, not pinkeye. Thus, Haemophilus aegyptius is the organism most characteristically linked to the pinkeye form of conjunctivitis.

Pinkeye refers to an acute bacterial conjunctivitis classically associated with Haemophilus aegyptius, a fastidious gram-negative coccobacillus that requires X and V factors (hemin and NAD) to grow and is often linked to this pink, mucus‑purulent form of conjunctivitis. While other organisms can cause conjunctival infections, Moraxella lacunata is more commonly tied to angular conjunctivitis, Chlamydia trachomatis causes inclusion conjunctivitis or trachoma, and Klebsiella ozaenae is associated with ozena, not pinkeye. Thus, Haemophilus aegyptius is the organism most characteristically linked to the pinkeye form of conjunctivitis.