Neonate gonococcal ophthalmia

D. Heavy Metals Mercury and silver precipitate proteins and inactivate sulfhydryl groups of enzymes but are used rarely because of toxicity. Organic mercurials such as nitromersol and thimerosal frequently cause hypersensitivity reactions but continue to be used as preservatives for vaccines, antitoxins, and immune sera. Merbromin is a weak antiseptic and stains tissues a bright red color. In the past silver nitrate was commonly used for prevention of neonatal gonococcal ophthalmia, but it has been largely replaced by topical antibiotics. Silver sulfadiazine (a sulfonamide) is used to decrease bacterial colonization in bums. 

D) Neonatal gonococcal ophthalmia can be prevented by silver nitrate... 

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Ophthalmia Neonatorum. Gonococcal neonatal conjunctivitis is characterized by the neonate s development of hyperacute conjunctivitis between 2 and 5 days postpartum. Most cases of neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis are bilateral periorbital edema, chemosis, and purulent exudate are prominent (Figure 25-18). 

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