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Published on: September 12, 2014
Microbial keratitis after amniotic membrane transplantation
Soliman Al-Kharashi1, Ahmed Al-Khawaja, El-Sayed Gonnah
1Anterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 7191, Riyadh, 11462, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Purpose:
To determine the incidence of early-onset (<30 days) and late-onset (>30 days) microbial keratitis after treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) utilizing tissue acquired from a commercial laboratory or prepared by the institutional eye bank.
Methods:
A retrospective, non-randomized, sequential, comparative study was performed for every patient with a persistent corneal epithelial defect who underwent primary AMT at KKESH between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004.
Results:
A total of 142 AMT procedures were performed for persistent corneal epithelial defects during the study period. There were 72 cases using commercially prepared tissue and 70 cases using locally prepared tissue. The mean patient age was 50.3+/-25.6 years (range, 1-104 years). The mean follow up was 6.3+/-5.0 months (range, 1-21 months). There were no cases of early-onset microbial keratitis in cases in which either commercially acquired tissue or locally prepared tissue was used.
Conclusion:
Amniotic tissue prepared in a commercial laboratory or by properly qualified eye bank personnel may be used for AMT in eyes with persistent corneal epithelial defects with minimal risk of microbial keratitis in the first postoperative month.
Insights
Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for persistent corneal defects showed no early-onset microbial keratitis, regardless of tissue source (commercial or eye bank). This indicates a low risk of infection post-procedure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Persistent corneal epithelial defects pose a significant risk of vision loss.
- Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is a therapeutic option for these defects.
- The source of amniotic tissue (commercial vs. institutional) may impact safety outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of early-onset and late-onset microbial keratitis after AMT for persistent corneal epithelial defects.
- To evaluate safety outcomes based on the origin of amniotic membrane grafts: commercial laboratory vs. institutional eye bank.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, non-randomized, comparative study.
- 142 patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects underwent primary AMT between January 2003 and June 2004.
- Data collected on early-onset (<30 days) and late-onset (>30 days) microbial keratitis.
Main Results:
- No cases of early-onset microbial keratitis were observed in either the commercially prepared tissue group (72 cases) or the locally prepared tissue group (70 cases).
- The mean patient age was 50.3 years, with a mean follow-up of 6.3 months.
- No significant difference in infection rates was noted between the two tissue sources.
Conclusions:
- Amniotic membrane grafts, whether from commercial sources or institutional eye banks, can be safely used for AMT in persistent corneal epithelial defects.
- The risk of microbial keratitis within the first postoperative month is minimal with both types of amniotic tissue.
- Proper preparation by qualified personnel is crucial for ensuring the safety of amniotic tissue grafts.
