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Assessment of ocular surface microbiota in keratoconus patients – a pilot study
Purpose Both genetic and environmental factors are associated with keratoconus (KTCN). The hypothesis of this project is that genetic factors together with environmental aspects, including the presence of specific ocular surface (OS) microbiota, influence the etiology of KTCN. Currently numerous stu...
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Published in: | Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) England), 2014-09, Vol.92 (s253), p.0-0 |
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Main Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Purpose Both genetic and environmental factors are associated with keratoconus (KTCN). The hypothesis of this project is that genetic factors together with environmental aspects, including the presence of specific ocular surface (OS) microbiota, influence the etiology of KTCN. Currently numerous studies focus on describing the variant microbe populations that occur in specific disease states, or the temporal microbial changes that are observed over the course of a disease. Microbiota at KTCN eye has not been evaluated so far. Therefore, the study question is whether there is a causal link between eye microbiome variation and KTCN.
Methods Because of inter‐individual microbiota variation revealed at the same anatomical sites, only male individuals in similar age (30‐40 yrs old) are being ascertained. Individuals are divided into four study subgroups (n=30 each): 1) patients with bilateral KTCN, 2) patients with KTCN and atopy, 3) patients with atopy, and 4) individuals without both KTCN and atopy. Culture‐based microbiology methods are used in the investigation to preliminary examine the OS microbiota. Simultaneously, microbial genetic material is extracted from the eye swabs for further qualitative and quantitative analyzes using molecular biology methods (real‐time PCR, NGS).
Results Preliminary results indicate a diversity of OS microbiota in both healthy and affected individuals. The most common isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium spp., and Propionibacterium spp. Detailed profiles of OS microbiota in the studied groups are under investigation.
Conclusion The results of this project will widen current knowledge about environmental aspects of KTCN etiology. Support: National Science Centre in Poland, Grant no. 2012/05/E/NZ5/02127. |
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ISSN: | 1755-375X 1755-3768 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2014.1762.x |