ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to explore the genotypes of Acinetobacter species and to compare the genotypes and phenotypes of the Acinetobacter isolated from contact lens wearers. Nineteen strains were used in the study, 13 were isolated from patients experiencing an adverse response event, and six strains were isolated from asymptomatic contact lens wearers. Random amplified polymorphic DNA and phenotypic analyses were carried out using commercially available kits. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis showed a higher discrimination power compared with the phenotypic analysis. The test strains were loosely clustered into six genotypic groups with no definite relation to any clinical events. These results indicate that many genotypes of Acinetobacter can cause adverse responses, and the initial source of the microorganisms rather than their clinical sequelae may determine classification.
Subject(s)
Acinetobacter/genetics , Contact Lenses/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/analysis , Acinetobacter/classification , Acinetobacter/isolation & purification , Bacterial Typing Techniques , Genotype , Humans , Phenotype , Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the levels of Acinetobacter species associated with normal soft contact lens wear and to determine whether Acinetobacter species are involved in adverse reactions that occur during contact lens wear. METHODS: Patients wore soft contact lenses on an extended-wear basis. The bacteria on lenses and ocular swabs during asymptomatic and symptomatic lens wear were identified using standard microbiologic methods. RESULTS: Acinetobacter species were isolated and identified from 16 (13%) of 126 patient samples. Greater numbers of Acinetobacter species were isolated from lenses of patients experiencing adverse responses than from asymptomatic patients. Acinetobacter species were isolated from patients experiencing symptomatic adverse responses in 4 (13%) of 32 cases. CONCLUSION: It appeared that Acinetobacter species colonized the eye of extended contact lens wearers at a time when the normal functioning of the eye was compromised by contact lens wear. When Acinetobacter species were in high numbers on a contact lens, an adverse response occurred. This may implicate Acinetobacter species as a contributing factor to adverse responses associated with contact lens wear.
Subject(s)
Acinetobacter Infections/etiology , Acinetobacter/isolation & purification , Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear/adverse effects , Eye Infections, Bacterial/etiology , Keratitis/etiology , Colony Count, Microbial , Conjunctiva/microbiology , Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear/microbiology , Eyelids/microbiology , Fingers/microbiology , HumansABSTRACT
PURPOSE: An extensive study was conducted to identify and enumerate staphylococcal microbiota found on ocular sites during asymptomatic soft contact lens (SCL) wear. METHODS: A biochemical identification system separately grouped the eight clinically relevant staphylococci. Total counts and isolation frequencies from SCLs and ocular sites were evaluated. RESULTS: The epidermidis group was the most numerous isolate from extended wear (EW) lenses; the capitis/warneri group was the most numerous (p < 0.05) from daily wear (DW) lenses. In both DW and EW, the greatest isolation frequency (p < 0.05) was recorded for the capitis/warneri group. The remaining six groups were isolated infrequently and in low numbers. DISCUSSION: These results show that, in addition to Staphylococcus epidermidis, other staphylococcal species may be important members of the normal microbiota of the ocular surface during SCL wear. Furthermore, an increase and a shift in staphylococcal microbiota between DW and EW regimes was highlighted.
