Amoebicidal efficacy of a novel multi-purpose disinfecting solution: first findings.

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba can cause a sight-threatening corneal infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, mostly in contact lens wearers. The use of ineffective contact lens disinfecting solutions is one of the most important risk factors for this infection. This study concerns a new multi-purpose contact lens disinfecting solution, OPTI-FREE® PureMoist®, tested for its efficacy against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts by using the most probable number technique for amoebic enumeration. Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC 50373 and an environmental strain of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 isolated from tap water in Istanbul were used during the experiments. OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® achieved total kill (more than a 3-log reduction) of trophozoites of both strains before the manufacturer-recommended disinfection time (6h). In contrast, this solution had limited cysticidal activity against the ATCC strain but more against the environmental strain, with log reductions of 0.75 and 2.20, respectively, after 6h of exposure.

Microbial contamination of contact lens storage cases and domestic tap water of contact lens wearers.

Contact lenses have been widely used as an alternative to spectacles both in developed and developing countries. However, under certain circumstances, adverse responses can occur during contact lens wear and several microorganisms--including bacteria, fungi, and free living amoebae--can cause several eye infections in wearers. Extended wear of contact lenses is the major risk factor of eye infections such as microbial keratitis, besides contaminated contact lens storage case, contaminated lens care solutions, and inaccurate contact lens handling. In this study, we collected contact lens storage case and domestic tap water samples from 50 asymptomatic contact lens wearers. We determined that total aerobic mesophilic bacteria were isolated in 45 (90 %), Gram negative rod bacteria were isolated in 20 (40 %), Pseudomonas spp. were isolated in 2 (4 %) and fungi were isolated in 18 (36 %) out of 50 contact lens storage cases. Free living amoebae were not detected in investigated contact lens storage cases. At the same time, out of 50, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria were isolated in 34 (68 %), fungi were isolated in 15 (30 %) and free living amoebae were isolated in 15 (30 %) domestic tap water samples. No Gram-negative rod bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. were detected in investigated water samples. Two contact lens case samples and two tap water samples were excluded from the analysis for Pseudomonas spp. for technical reasons. According to our findings, inadequate contact lens maintenance during lens wear may result in the contamination of contact lens storage cases. This situation can lead to severe eye infections in contact lens wearers over time.