Commonground
Senior Moderator
Vol. 74 / No. 33
September 4, 2025
Abstract
Viral and allergic conjunctivitis are more common than bacte-
rial conjunctivitis in healthy immunocompetent adults. Neisseria
meningitidis is an uncommon cause of bacterial conjunctivitis.
During February–May 2025, an outbreak of 41 meningococ-
cal conjunctivitis cases occurred among healthy, communally
housed, military trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
in San Antonio, Texas; all had received the quadrivalent menin-
gococcal vaccine. One patient was hospitalized with periorbital
cellulitis and received intravenous antibiotics; all other patients
were treated successfully with topical antibiotics. Whole genome
sequencing of isolates from the first two cases suggested that
the organism was unencapsulated (nongroupable) and that
the cases were related. After the identification of two cases of
N. meningitidis conjunctivitis among military trainees within a
3-week period in February 2025, an investigation was initiated
by the base health surveillance team. Investigation of basic trainee
hygiene and cleaning practices found that all protocols were fol-
lowed; no source for the outbreak was found. When outbreaks of
mucopurulent conjunctivitis occur in congregate living settings,
culturing exudate can identify outbreak etiology, and whole
genome sequencing can help guide treatment and response.
Previous studies indicated that systemic antimicrobial therapy
might be needed to prevent invasive infections of N. meningitidis
cases; findings from this investigation suggest that nongroupable
N. meningitidis conjunctivitis in otherwise healthy persons might
be successfully treated with topical antimicrobials.
Continued: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/pdfs/mm7433-H.pdf
September 4, 2025
Abstract
Viral and allergic conjunctivitis are more common than bacte-
rial conjunctivitis in healthy immunocompetent adults. Neisseria
meningitidis is an uncommon cause of bacterial conjunctivitis.
During February–May 2025, an outbreak of 41 meningococ-
cal conjunctivitis cases occurred among healthy, communally
housed, military trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
in San Antonio, Texas; all had received the quadrivalent menin-
gococcal vaccine. One patient was hospitalized with periorbital
cellulitis and received intravenous antibiotics; all other patients
were treated successfully with topical antibiotics. Whole genome
sequencing of isolates from the first two cases suggested that
the organism was unencapsulated (nongroupable) and that
the cases were related. After the identification of two cases of
N. meningitidis conjunctivitis among military trainees within a
3-week period in February 2025, an investigation was initiated
by the base health surveillance team. Investigation of basic trainee
hygiene and cleaning practices found that all protocols were fol-
lowed; no source for the outbreak was found. When outbreaks of
mucopurulent conjunctivitis occur in congregate living settings,
culturing exudate can identify outbreak etiology, and whole
genome sequencing can help guide treatment and response.
Previous studies indicated that systemic antimicrobial therapy
might be needed to prevent invasive infections of N. meningitidis
cases; findings from this investigation suggest that nongroupable
N. meningitidis conjunctivitis in otherwise healthy persons might
be successfully treated with topical antimicrobials.
Continued: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/pdfs/mm7433-H.pdf