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Microwave treatment of contact lens cases contaminated with acanthamoeba
K Hiti1, J Walochnik, C Faschinger
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Purpose:
Microbially contaminated contact lens cases are a predisposing risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis. Several findings have shown that microwave irradiation kills the six Food and Drug Administration test challenge microorganisms. We aimed to determine what effect microwave irradiation has on Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts.
Methods:
Different types of contact lens cases were contaminated with trophozoites and cysts of three different Acanthamoeba species (A. comandoni, A. castellanii, A. hatchetti) and were exposed to microwave irradiation for 3, 5, and 8 minutes, respectively.
Results:
Trophozoites, as well as cysts of the different Acanthamoeba strains, were effectively killed, even by only 3 minutes of microwave irradiation, and there were no negative effects of irradiation on the contact lens cases themselves.
Conclusion:
We demonstrate that microwave treatment is a very effective, easy, and cheap method to keep contact lens cases free of Acanthamoeba, thus considerably reducing the risk of an Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Insights
Microwave irradiation effectively kills Acanthamoeba (the parasite causing keratitis) in contact lens cases. This simple, inexpensive method significantly reduces the risk of infection for contact lens wearers.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Contaminated contact lens cases are a significant risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis.
- Microwave irradiation has previously demonstrated efficacy against common microorganisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of microwave irradiation against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts.
- To determine if microwave irradiation can disinfect contact lens cases.
Main Methods:
- Contact lens cases were contaminated with three species of Acanthamoeba (trophozoites and cysts).
- Contaminated cases were subjected to microwave irradiation for 3, 5, and 8 minutes.
Main Results:
- Microwave irradiation at 3 minutes effectively eradicated Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts.
- No adverse effects were observed on the contact lens cases themselves after irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Microwave treatment offers a highly effective, simple, and cost-efficient method for disinfecting contact lens cases.
- This approach can substantially lower the risk of developing Acanthamoeba keratitis.