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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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Incidence of microbial infection after amniotic membrane transplantation

Fabiana Bogossian Marangon1, Eduardo C Alfonso, Darlene Miller

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Cornea
|April 16, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is a safe procedure for ocular reconstruction with a low infection rate. Infections are rare, especially with commercially sourced amniotic membrane (AM) prepared under Good Tissue Banking Practices.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is utilized for ocular surface reconstruction.
  • Assessing microbial infection incidence and characteristics post-AMT is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and characteristics of microbial infections following amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT).
  • To correlate post-AMT infections with amniotic membrane (AM) source, storage, and patient diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 326 patients undergoing AMT from 1994-2001.
  • Comparison of infections between research-laboratory-prepared AM and commercially sourced AM.
  • Analysis of microbial cultures from AM storage media and clinical records.

Main Results:

  • Overall infection rate was 3.4% (11/326).
  • Higher infection rates (9.2%) were observed with research-prepared AM compared to commercial AM (1.6%).
  • Gram-positive organisms were the most common isolates (64%); infections were not linked to underlying ocular conditions.

Conclusions:

  • AMT is a safe procedure for ocular surface reconstruction with a low microbial infection risk.
  • Commercial AM prepared under Good Tissue Banking Practices demonstrates a very low infection rate.
  • Gram-positive bacteria are the predominant pathogens in post-AMT infections.

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