The Sterilizing Properties of the Vitreous

ABSTRACT

Studies were performed on the sterilizing properties of the vitreous removed from human, bovine and rabbit eves. Nutrient agar was seeded with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 5mm plugs were removed from the plate and the wells were filled with about 0.2ml of sterile vitreous which had been kept in refrigerator for 24 hours. Various antibiotic solution were also added to the well for the comparative purpose. The plates were incubated for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. The vitreous from human, bovine and rabbit who had not be given antibiotics did not inhibit bacterial growth. The vitreous from rabbit injected subconjunctivally 200mg of chloramphenicol or 20mg of gentamicin also showed no inhibition of the growth. When rabbit was given intravitreal injection of chlorampheicol (10mg) or gentamicin (4mg) , the vitreous inhibited bacterial growth. It can be concluded from the studies that the so-called sterilizing properties of the vitreous is due to the contamination of the vitreous with antibiotics.