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Elucidation of antibiotic effectiveness against Staphylococcus epidermidis during intraocular lens implantation
A A Kadry1, A F Tawfik, A A Abu El-Asrar
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, PO Box 2457, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
The effect of various antimicrobial agents commonly used in irrigating solutions on the hydrophobicity and adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990 was investigated. The longest post-antibiotic effect (PAE=3.2 h) was obtained with gentamicin followed by ciprofloxacin (2.7 h), clindamycin (2.2 h), ceftazidime (1.8 h) and vancomycin (1.6 h). The post-antibiotic effect on surface hydrophobicity of cells previously treated with gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, or clindamycin for 120 min resulted in a substantial decrease in affinities to hexadecane (31.4, 28.5 and 27%, respectively) compared with control untreated cells. Less effect was noted with cells previously treated with ceftazidime or vancomycin (20.5 and 15.8%, respectively). Similar but less marked results were obtained when the cells were exposed to antibiotics for 30 or 60 min. The post-antibiotic effect on adherence of cells to both intraocular lenses and to epithelial cells showed that adherence to lenses decreased as the time of exposure to antimicrobial agents increased. Adherence was greatly diminished with cells treated with gentamicin or ciprofloxacin compared with control untreated cells. Adherence was less affected by clindamycin, ceftazidime and vancomycin. The data supported the use of antimicrobial agents in irrigating solution during intraocular surgery, since, reduced adherence (colonization) and might result in a lower incidence of endophthalmitis.
Insights
Antimicrobial agents in irrigating solutions reduce Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to surfaces. This finding supports their use in intraocular surgery to potentially lower endophthalmitis incidence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common cause of healthcare-associated infections, including endophthalmitis after intraocular surgery.
- Antimicrobial agents are frequently used in irrigating solutions during ophthalmic procedures.
- The impact of these agents on bacterial surface properties and adherence requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of common antimicrobial agents in irrigating solutions on the hydrophobicity and adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
- To evaluate the post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of various antimicrobials on bacterial surface characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990 were exposed to different antimicrobial agents.
- Post-antibiotic effect (PAE) was measured.
- Bacterial hydrophobicity was assessed using hexadecane affinity.
- Bacterial adherence to intraocular lenses and epithelial cells was quantified.
Main Results:
- Gentamicin exhibited the longest PAE (3.2 h), followed by ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, ceftazidime, and vancomycin.
- Antimicrobial treatment, particularly with gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, significantly reduced bacterial hydrophobicity and adherence to intraocular lenses and epithelial cells.
- Reduced adherence correlated with increased exposure time to antimicrobial agents.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial agents in irrigating solutions can effectively reduce Staphylococcus epidermidis hydrophobicity and adherence.
- The findings support the use of antimicrobial irrigating solutions during intraocular surgery to potentially decrease the incidence of endophthalmitis.
- Gentamicin and ciprofloxacin demonstrated the most significant impact on reducing bacterial adherence.