Which organism is a common cause of conjunctivitis in children?

• A. Haemophilus influenzae
• B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• C. Acanthamoeba
• D. Fusarium species

Answer: (A)

Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of conjunctivitis in children. This organism, often non-typeable, lives in the child's upper airway and can spread to the eye, producing the mucopurulent discharge and red, irritated conjunctiva typical of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in kids. Among the options, it fits best as a frequent pediatric pathogen. Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause conjunctivitis as well, but it’s less common in routine pediatric cases and tends to present more severely, especially in neonates or with autoinoculation. Acanthamoeba and Fusarium are more associated with keratitis, particularly with contact lens wear or corneal trauma, rather than straightforward conjunctivitis.