Which two organisms are common causes of conjunctivitis in children?

• A. Moraxella catarrhalis
• B. Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis
• C. Staphylococcus aureus
• D. Chlamydia trachomatis

Answer: (B)

In pediatric conjunctivitis, the most frequent bacterial culprits are non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. These organisms commonly colonize the conjunctiva in children and cause the typical purulent discharge and redness seen with bacterial conjunctivitis in this age group. Staphylococcus aureus occurs but is less common in kids than these two. Chlamydia trachomatis leads to inclusion conjunctivitis, often in neonates or sexually active adolescents, and is not the usual cause of acute conjunctivitis in healthy children. So the combination of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis best reflects the common pediatric pathogens.