Molecular identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from used contact lens cases

Siti Nor Khadijah Addis; Nurfarhana Rosli; Fatimah Hashim; Amina Rusli; Dharane Kethiravan; Asmadamia Abdul Aziz

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Molecular identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from used contact lens cases

Author: Siti Nor Khadijah Addis ¹ ; Nurfarhana Rosli ¹ ; Fatimah Hashim ¹ ; Amina Rusli ^{2
,

3} ; Dharane Kethiravan ⁴ ; Asmadamia Abdul Aziz ⁵
Author Information

1. Biological Security and Sustainability Research Group (BIOSES), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
2. Institute of Health &
3. Community Medicine, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
4. Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
5. Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria; Eye infection; Contact lens solution; 16S rDNA
MeSH: Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Contact Lenses
From:Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2021;17(3):305-312
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Aims:The contact lens (CL) has become one of the most convenience refractive devices used in vision correction, occupational and in cosmetics purposes. Despite the convenience of CL usage, poor hygiene might cause eye infections due to microbial contamination. In this work, a random collection of used CL cases among Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) students had shown the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria towards commonly used antibiotics to treat eye infections.
Methodology and results:The study was carried out from 28 CL cases samples with the duration of one to three months of use. Bacteria that were successfully isolated from the CL cases were then exposed to the commonly prescribed antibiotics followed by identification through the partial 16S rDNA sequencing. Our finding exhibited that the rate of contamination is over 50% where 32 bacteria were isolated, with 20 (62.5%) of the isolates were Gram-positive bacteria. Approximately 31% of the isolated bacteria are resistant and intermediate resistant to the commonly used antibiotics to treat eye infection, especially erythromycin and chloramphenicol. The isolated bacteria were genotypic identified as Bacillus cereus, B. anthracis, Acinetobacter variabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens. These bacteria are known as a common cause for microbial keratitis, except for A. variabilis, where the association of this bacteria in causing microbial keratitis is relatively rare.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study:This study highlights the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can cause severe eye infections among CL wearer. The high percentage of contamination (>50%) found from the isolates reflected on the lack of hygiene practice on the CL handling. Thus, it is crucial to perceive this study as microbial contamination will lead to more serious eye infection disease such as conjunctivitis and keratitis.
Full text:20.2021my0031.pdf