Five-year review of ocular Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections presenting to ophthalmology departments in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Scotland

Abstract

As gonococcal infections continue to increase, we wanted to review the number and clinical course of recent ocular gonococcal cases presenting to ophthalmology departments in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. A 5-year retrospective review of adult ocular gonococcal cases, where the diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was made on microbiological culture, was undertaken. Fifteen cases were identified (80% male). Average age was 26 years (range 17–42; median 24). Most common presenting features included purulent discharge (14/15; 93%), haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (10/15; 67%) and pre-septal cellulitis (9/15; 60%). Corneal involvement was documented in 5 (33%), with marginal ulceration in 1 (7%) but none had corneal perforation. Most common systemic treatment was IV ceftriaxone, alone or in combination with another antibiotic (6/15; 40%), followed by IM ceftriaxone, alone or in combination with another antibiotic (5/15; 33%). Median time from presentation to treatment was 1 day (0–23). All patients were referred or recommended to attend sexual health services. Seven patients (47%) attended and received complete sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and contact tracing: 3 patients had systemic treatment initiated or changed at this visit and 1 patient had concurrent syphilis identified. This series confirms purulent conjunctivitis and cellulitis as the main presenting features of ocular gonococcal infection requiring hospital review. Early identification with appropriate systemic antibiotic treatment avoided corneal melting in this cohort. As concurrent STIs were identified and/or treatments changed in 4/7 (57%) following sexual health review, we recommend a shared care approach between ophthalmology, microbiology and sexual health services to effectively address all management issues.