Which statement is true about gonococcal conjunctivitis?

Which statement is true about gonococcal conjunctivitis?

• A. It is the only bacterial conjunctivitis that can cause pseudomembranes
• B. It is always self-limiting without antibiotics
• C. It never presents with preauricular lymphadenopathy
• D. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

Answer: (A)

Gonococcal conjunctivitis can form a pseudomembrane on the conjunctiva, which is a folded, fibrin-rich layer of inflammatory exudate that can peel away from the surface. This hyperacute infection tends to produce a copious purulent discharge and can rapidly threaten the cornea, so the presence of a pseudomembrane is a distinguishing feature that makes this statement true. It’s caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, not Chlamydia trachomatis, and it is not self-limiting without antibiotics; it often presents with prominent eyelid swelling and can involve preauricular lymph nodes.

Gonococcal conjunctivitis can form a pseudomembrane on the conjunctiva, which is a folded, fibrin-rich layer of inflammatory exudate that can peel away from the surface. This hyperacute infection tends to produce a copious purulent discharge and can rapidly threaten the cornea, so the presence of a pseudomembrane is a distinguishing feature that makes this statement true. It’s caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, not Chlamydia trachomatis, and it is not self-limiting without antibiotics; it often presents with prominent eyelid swelling and can involve preauricular lymph nodes.