Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to contact lenses after exposure to multi-purpose lens care solutions

• Published in: Journal of adhesion science and technology 2001-01, Vol.15 (12), p.1453-1461
• Main Authors: Bruinsma, G. M., De Vries, J., Van Der Mei, H. C., Busscher, H. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AERUGINOSA; Application fields; Applied sciences; Bacteria; BACTERIAL ADHESION; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical bonds; Contact lenses; Deposition; Exact sciences and technology; HYDROGEL CONTACT LENSES; Hydrogels; LENS CARE SOLUTION; Medical sciences; Polymer industry, paints, wood; PSEUDOMONAS; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Technology of polymers; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0169-4243; 1568-5616
• DOI: 10.1163/156856101753213303

Elemental surface compositions of contact lenses were measured after exposure to different lens care solutions (LCS) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and were related to adhesion and detachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Etafilcon A and polymacon contact lenses, prior to and after exposure to LCS were fixed on the bottom plate of a parallel plate flow chamber after which P.aeruginosa #3 was allowed to adhere for 2 h. After adhesion, bacterial detachment was stimulated by perfusing the chamber with an LCS or by passing an air-bubble through the chamber. After exposure to an LCS, the adhesion of P.aeruginosa #3 could either be enhanced or decreased, depending on the contact lens and LCS involved. Initial deposition rates of P.aeruginosa #3 could not be related with changes in elemental surface composition of the contact lenses, but decreased with an increasing ratio of oxygen involved in O C bonds relative to oxygen in O C bonds. P.aeruginosa #3 adhered tenaciously to both types of contact lenses and the passage of an air-bubble through the flow chamber detached only up to 9% of the adhering bacteria. Alternatively, the LCS most effective in decreasing bacterial adhesion after exposure (LCS A), was least effective in detaching adhering P.aeruginosa #3 (8-15%), while the other LCS detached up to 42% of adhering bacteria. In conclusion, different LCS have different abilities to detach the adhering P.aeruginosa #3 from contact lens surfaces and all leave adsorbed components on the surface after soaking. Adsorbed components rich in O C bonds increased adhesion of P.aeruginosa #3 under the conditions used in this study and should, therefore, be avoided.