To evaluate amoebicidal efficacy of various disinfectants, we treated ten ocular isolates of Acanthamoeba with polyhexamethylene biguanide(PHMB), chlorhexidine and hexamidine. Acanthamoeba cysts were collected from axenic nonnutrient agar plates from 4 week culture. Cyst suspension(100microliter) was inoculated on 96-well microplate with concentration of 105 cys/ml. Each well was treated with two-fold diluted hexamidine, PHMB and chlorhexidine(100microliter each, 8 and 48hrs). Each well was examined under the inverted microscope until 7 days after treatment. Minimal cysticidal concentration(MCC) of each disinfectant qas measured after five experiments. MCC of hexamidine, chlorhexidine and PHMB against ten ocular isolates ranged 6.07-500microgram/ml, 3.12-12.50microgram/ml, 1.17-4.68microgram/ml respectively in 48hr treatment. In 8hr treatment, MCC of PHMB and chlorhexidine ranged 4.42-12.50microgram/ml and 4.67-17.71microgram/ml, but hexamidine did not demonstrate cysticidal effect. For proper disinfection of contact lens, disinfectants having cysticidal efficacy should be included in the composition of contact lens solution. Among the currently used topical amoebicidal agents, PHMB showed the greatest cysticidal activity on ten ocular strains of Acanthamoeba in invitro study.
Acanthamoeba* ; Agar ; Chlorhexidine* ; Contact Lens Solutions ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection

PURPOSE: To compare the antimicrobial effects of various kinds of multi-purpose solutions, study effective ways of washing contact lens (CLs), and suggest the most effective lens care system using P. aeruginosa-contaminated CLs. METHODS: Each disposable soft CL was incubated in 0.1 ml of diluted solution of P. aeruginosa standardstrain (10(8)CFU / mm(3)) and 0.9 ml tryptic soy broth in cell culture wells for 24 hours. In the first experimental group, to find the most antimicrobial solution, 40 CLs contaminated by P. aeruginosa were divided into four subgroups washed with four different kinds of multi-purpose solutions. Ten CLs were used in each subgroup and in the control group; Ten CLs contaminated by P. aeruginosa were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) instead of cleaning solution. In the second experiment groups to find the most effective way of washing, using only Renu Multiplus multi-purpose solutionR we compared the antimicrobial effect of four different ways of washing including 30 seconds rubbing, 30 minutes soaking, 4 hours soaking, 30 seconds rubbing and 4 hours soaking. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of antimicrobial effect between four kinds of multi-purpose solutions. All methods have a significant antimicrobial effect over control group (P<0.001) and the most effective method of washing CLs was 4 hours soaking. CONCLUSIONS: we should advise all the soft CL users that they should have their CLs soaked over 4 hours everyday after wearing it.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Contact Lens Solutions* ; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa

OBJECTIVETesting the protein-removing effect of the protein-removing care solution on the protein precipitation of the soft contact lenses.

METHODSoak the lenses into the artificial-tears to simulate the protein absorption, test the absorbency of cleaned protein at the wavelength of 280 nm by UV spectrophotometer, and compute the percentage of protein.

RESULTTesting results of the percentage of the cleaned protein are repeatable.

CONCLUSIONThis experimental method can be used to evaluate the cleaning effect of the protein- removing care solution, but still needs much improvements.

Contact Lens Solutions ; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic ; Eye Proteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Surface-Active Agents ; pharmacology

To determine the effects of contact lens-solution(Uni-cleaner, Uni-soak, Uni-rince on the ocular tissue following instillation for 21 consecutive days, the experimental irritation study was conducted on the rabbit eyes. Nine rabbits(18 eyes) were divided into three groups and each solution was instilled into the eyes four tims a day for 21 consecutive days. Ocular reactions including conjunctival injection, chemosis, sodium fluorescein stain, and erosion were observed and recorded. The reactions were noted using as a guide the scales for scoring from grade I to grade IV according to the severity through the slit lamp examination, and also measured was the corneal thickness change using the ultrasonic pachometer. The results were as follows; 1. No ocular abnormalitis were observed during the slit lamp examination through the test period except one minute after instillation of the solution. 2. The changes of the corneal thickness were not significant statistically(p>0.1). 3. Scanning electronic microscopy showed that epithelial cells formed a polygonal mosaic on surface of the cornea and microvilli and microplicae were present in adjacent cells.
Contact Lens Solutions* ; Cornea ; Epithelial Cells ; Fluorescein ; Microscopy ; Microvilli ; Ultrasonics ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cysticidal effect of 5 kinds of commercially available contact lens disinfectants against 2 clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba. METHODS: Five kinds of commercially available contact lens disinfectants were soaked with cysts of Acanthamoeba ludgdunesis and castellanii at the concentration of 10(3), 10(4), and 10(5) cells/ml for 1 and 4 or 6 hours. Cysts which were not excysted in 7 days after treatment were recognized to be killed. Morphologic changes were evaluated by electron microscopic observation. RESULTS: Contact lens disinfectants which contain myristamidopropyl dimethylamine (MAPD) showed the best cysticidal effect. These disinfectants demonstrated a cysticidal effect on both Acanthamoeba species of all concentrations in 6-hour treatment. Contact lens disinfectants which contain polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) did not demonstrate cysticidal effect, except for Acanthamoeba castellanii at the concentration of 10(3) cells/ml, in either 4- or 6-hour treatment. Separation of plasma membrane from endocyst and damage of organelles were prominent in cases showing a cysticidal effect. CONCLUSIONS: Contact lens disinfectant which contains MAPD may be helpful in preventing the Acanthamoeba keratitis. A higher concentration of PHMB is required to be effective in preventing Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Acanthamoeba castellanii ; Acanthamoeba Keratitis ; Acanthamoeba* ; Cell Membrane ; Contact Lens Solutions ; Disinfectants ; Organelles

The use of ophthalmic drugs and contact lens solutions has increased and allergic contact dermatitis due to these agents has also recently increased. The first case was a 67-year-old female patient who developed allergic contact dermatitis after application of Latano(R): The patch test with the ingredients in Latano(R) showed positive reaction to latanoprost and benzalkonium chloride. The second case was a 63-year-old female patient who developed allergic contact dermatitis after application of Ecolicin(R), Tolon(R), Forus(R) and Uniten-F(R): The patch test showed a positive reaction to Tolon(R). She didn't want further evaluation. The third case was a 51-year-old female patient who developed allergic contact dermatitis after application of Terramycin(R) eye ointment: the patch test with the ingredients of Terramycin(R) eye ointment showed a positive reaction to polymyxin B. When contact dermatitis occurs in periorbital areas, topical ophthalmic ointment or lens cleanser needs to be considered as a causative agent.
Aged ; Benzalkonium Compounds ; Contact Lens Solutions ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Patch Tests ; Polymyxin B ; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic

PURPOSE: We report a case of Aeromonas keratitis presenting as radial keratoneuritis. CASE SUMMARY: A 33-year-old woman with a history of cleaning her contact lenses with tap water presented with decreased visual acuity for 1 day in the left eye. The patient showed diffuse corneal edema, stromal infiltration, and radial keratoneuritis, which were thought to be pathognomonic for Aeromonas keratitis. Based on the patient's clinical findings and past history, a diagnosis of Aeromonas keratitis was made and she was prescribed topical fortified cefazolin (50 mg/mL, 5%), tobramycin (3 mg/mL), and 0.02% chlorhexidine per hour. Culture results from the contact lens and contact lens solution confirmed infection by Aeromonas hydrophilia. Polymerase chain reaction results for Aeromonas were negative. After 8 days of treatment, the uncorrected visual acuity was 0.7/0.3 with improvement in her corneal findings. CONCLUSIONS: Radial keratoneuritis is not always pathognomic for Aeromonas keratitis and can be present in Aeromonas keratitis. Therefore, ophthalmologists should be cautious when interpreting this clinical sign.
Adult ; Aeromonas ; Cefazolin ; Chlorhexidine ; Contact Lens Solutions ; Contact Lenses ; Cornea ; Corneal Edema ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tobramycin ; Visual Acuity ; Water

Recent in vitro studies have revealed that a certain Mycobacterium can survive and multiply within freeliving amoebae. It is believed that protozoans function as host cells for the intracellular replication and evasion of Mycobacterium spp. under harmful conditions. In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of a bacterium naturally observed within an amoeba isolate acquired from a contact lens storage case. The bacterium multiplied within Acanthamoeba, but exerted no cytopathic effects on the amoeba during a 6-year amoebic culture. Trasnmission electron microscopy showed that the bacteria were randomly distributed within the cytoplasm of trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba. On the basis of the results of 18S rRNA gene analysis, the amoeba was identified as A. lugdunensis. A 16S rRNA gene analysis placed this bacterium within the genus Mycobacterium. The bacterium evidenced positive reactivity for acid-fast and fluorescent acid-fast stains. The bacterium was capable of growth on the Middlebrook 7H11-Mycobacterium-specific agar. The identification and characterization of bacterial endosymbionts of free-living protozoa bears significant implications for our understanding of the ecology and the identification of other atypical mycobacterial pathogens.
Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/*microbiology ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Contact Lens Solutions ; *Contact Lenses ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods ; Mycobacterium/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Symbiosis