Elsevier

Ophthalmology

Volume 94, Issue 10, October 1987, Pages 1310-1314
Ophthalmology

The Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Soft Contact Lenses

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(87)80017-9Get rights and content

Abstract

The adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to extended-wear soft contact lenses (EWSCLs) may be an important initial step in the pathogenesis of EWSCL-associated infectious keratitis. P. aeruginosa tend to adhere more to worn EWSCLs than unworn EWSCLs (P < 0.05). Normal tear components such as aqueous solutions of albumin, lysozyme, and lactoferrin all significantly enhance adherence of P. aeruginosa to unworn EWSCLs often by as much as 300%. The presence of a 1 % solution of sialic acid in the bathing medium significantly reduces the adherence of P. aeruginosa to both unworn and worn lenses. Inhibition of bacterial adherence could also be achieved with the addition of mucin (which contains terminal sialic acid residues in its major sugar chains). Therefore, selective adherence by P. aeruginosa to a specific sugar (sialic acid) may be important in the initial attachment of the bacterium to soft contact lenses.

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    Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, November 1986, and the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, March 1987.

    Supported by the Louisiana Association for the Blind and the Veterans Administration Research Service.

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