Decreased Attachment of Bacteria to Lubricin Coated Intraocular Lenses
- PDF / 500,821 Bytes
- 6 Pages / 595.22 x 842 pts (A4) Page_size
- 95 Downloads / 173 Views
Decreased Attachment of Bacteria to Lubricin Coated Intraocular Lenses George E. Aninwene II1, Erik Taylor1, Amy Mei1, Gregory D. Jay2, and Thomas J. Webster1,3 1 School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, 3Department of Orthopaedic,s Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 ABSTRACT Lubricin is an amphiphilic glycoprotein that is found in the synovial fluid [1]. This protein holds promise as an anti-biofouling agent. This study investigated lubricin’s ability to prevent bacterial attachment and proliferation on intraocular lenses. The findings from this study indicated that lubricin is able to reduce the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to poly (methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens. Lubricin coatings were confirmed on the surfaces after a 2 hour soak by changes in surface energy. Also, lubricin reduced bacterial proliferation. INTRODUCTION Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world [2]. Each year, there are over 6 million cataract surgeries involving intraocular lenses (IOLs) worldwide [3]. However, there are three challenges that threaten the lasting post-operation success of these surgeries. First, the encroachment of epithelial cells onto the surface of IOLs can lead to a significant loss of visual acuity [4]. Secondly, bacterial infection after cataract surgery is a major post operative complication [5]. Thirdly, the accumulation of calcium deposits on IOLs may lead to total lens opacification [3]. Bacterial infection after cataract surgery may lead to a serious post operative complication known as endophthalmitis [6]. The primary cause of this infection is the introduction of bacteria from the ocular surfaces and/or eyelids (as well as surrounding areas) which enter into the patient’s eye during the course of cataract surgery [6]. Gram-positive coagulase-negative cocci (such as Staphylococcus epidermidis) account for 70% of all infections. Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for 10% of all infections [6]. The Streptococcus species are responsible for 9% and the Enterococcus species are responsible for 2%, and other gram-positive species are seen in 3% of all infections [6]. Gram-negative bacteria account for only 6% of all infections [6]. Measures have been developed to prevent endophthalmitis infections. Specifically, the use of povidone-iodine, careful surgical preparation, appropriate dressing of the surgical area, and antibiotics at the conclusion of the surgery have been used to reduce the chances of bacterial infection after surgery [6]. However, these methods have not fully eliminated the chance of infection. The number of incidents of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery involving the implantation of an IOL has been reported to be between 0.13% and 0.7% [6]. In the literature, it has been shown that disruptions of hydrophobic surface interactions may prevent bacterial binding and lead to a prevention of bacterial colonization [7]. If the bacteria are
Data Loading...
