Which organism is a coccus controlled by the Crede's method?

Which organism is a coccus controlled by the Crede's method?

• A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
• B. Staphylococcus aureus
• C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• D. Neisseria meningitidis

Answer: (C)

Crede's method is a prophylaxis for newborn eyes to prevent gonococcal conjunctivitis. It involves applying a topical antiseptic soon after birth to kill gonococcal organisms that could cause ophthalmia neonatorum. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a coccoid bacterium, specifically a Gram-negative diplococcus, and is the organism this method targets. The historical purpose of this prophylaxis was to prevent eye infection by this particular pathogen, which is why it’s the best answer. The other cocci listed may cause eye infections in different contexts, but they are not the organisms this prophylaxis was designed to prevent.

Crede's method is a prophylaxis for newborn eyes to prevent gonococcal conjunctivitis. It involves applying a topical antiseptic soon after birth to kill gonococcal organisms that could cause ophthalmia neonatorum. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a coccoid bacterium, specifically a Gram-negative diplococcus, and is the organism this method targets. The historical purpose of this prophylaxis was to prevent eye infection by this particular pathogen, which is why it’s the best answer. The other cocci listed may cause eye infections in different contexts, but they are not the organisms this prophylaxis was designed to prevent.