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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 16, 2011
In vitro adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis to intraocular lenses
M C García-Sáenz1, A Arias-Puente, M J Fresnadillo-Martinez
1Fundación Hospital de Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. mcgarcias@fhalcorcon.es
Purpose:
To compare the in vitro adherence of slime-producing and non-slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis to different intraocular lenses (IOLs) to study the organism's contribution to postoperative endophthalmitis.
Methods:
Strains of slime-positive (ATCC 35984) and slime-negative (ATCC 12228) S epidermidis were used. The IOLs were made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), PMMA with polypropylene haptics, silicone, hydrogel, acrylic, heparin-surface-modified (HSM) PMMA, and fluorine-surface-modified PMMA. The lenses were incubated overnight with bacteria, then sonicated and vortexed to separate the adhered bacteria. Quantitative cultures were performed and the results statistically analyzed.
Results:
Slime-negative strains of S epidermidis adhered to all IOLs but at a lower level than slime-positive strains. The most adherent lenses were acrylic with the positive strain and PMMA with the negative strain. The least adherent IOLs were PMMA with the positive strain and hydrogel with the negative strain. There were no significant differences between rigid and foldable lenses. Polypropylene was significantly more adherent than PMMA to the slime-positive strain. The acrylic and the HSM PMMA IOLs were significantly more adherent to the positive strain.
Conclusions:
In vitro, there were significant differences in bacterial adhesion among IOL materials. Slime-positive strains of S epidermidis were more adherent than slime-negative ones.
Insights
Slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria adhere more to intraocular lenses (IOLs) than non-slime-producing strains, impacting postoperative endophthalmitis risk. IOL material significantly influences bacterial adhesion levels.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Postoperative endophthalmitis is a severe complication of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
- Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common causative agent, with slime production being a key virulence factor.
- The interaction between bacterial slime and IOL material surfaces is crucial in the pathogenesis of endophthalmitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the in vitro adherence of slime-producing and non-slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis strains to various IOL materials.
- To elucidate the role of bacterial slime production in adherence to different intraocular lens types.
- To assess the contribution of bacterial adherence to IOLs in the context of postoperative endophthalmitis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized slime-positive (ATCC 35984) and slime-negative (ATCC 12228) S. epidermidis strains.
- Tested adherence to IOLs made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), silicone, hydrogel, acrylic, heparin-surface-modified (HSM) PMMA, and fluorine-surface-modified PMMA.
- Quantified bacterial adhesion after overnight incubation using sonication, vortexing, and quantitative cultures, with statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Slime-positive S. epidermidis strains demonstrated significantly higher adherence to all tested IOL materials compared to slime-negative strains.
- Acrylic and heparin-surface-modified PMMA IOLs showed the highest adherence with the slime-positive strain.
- PMMA IOLs exhibited the highest adherence with the slime-negative strain, while hydrogel showed the least adherence with this strain.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial adherence to intraocular lenses varies significantly based on IOL material composition.
- Slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibits greater adherence to IOLs than non-slime-producing strains.
- These findings highlight the importance of material properties in preventing bacterial adhesion and reducing the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis.
