Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Delftia acidovorans, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to contact lenses under the influence of an artificial tear solution

Abstract

Corneal infection is a devastating sight-threatening complication that is associated with contact lens (CL) wear, commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Lately, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Delftia acidovorans, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia have been associated with corneal infection. This study investigated the adhesion of these emerging pathogens to CLs, under the influence of an artificial tear solution (ATS) containing a variety of components commonly found in human tears. Two different CL materials, etafilcon A and senofilcon A, either soaked in an ATS or phosphate buffered saline, were exposed to the bacteria. Bacterial adhesion was investigated using a radio-labeling technique (total counts) and plate count method (viable counts). The findings from this study revealed that in addition to P. aeruginosa, among the emerging pathogens evaluated, A. xylosoxidans showed an increased propensity for adherence to both CL materials and S. maltophilia showed lower viability. ATS influenced the viable counts more than the total counts on CLs.

Keywords:

• Bacteria
• adhesion
• contact lens
• emerging pathogens
• tears
• infection

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Debarun Dutta, Aston University, UK for his help with the radio-labeling technique.

Disclosure statement

The disclosures for the authors are as follows:

Jaya Dantam: None

Lakshman Subbaraman: None at the time of the study. Now an employee of Alcon.

Lyndon Jones and the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE): as follows: Lyndon Jones has received lectureship honoraria from Alcon, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Santen and Shire. Over the past three years, CORE has received funds for conducting research from Alcon, Allergan, CooperVision, GL Chemtech, J&J Vision, Menicon, Nature’s Way, Novartis, Shire and SightGlass Vision.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund.