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In Vitro Models of Eye Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Colin P Churchward1,2, Lori A S Snyder3
1School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, London, UK.
Insights
Ophthalmic Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are rare due to prophylaxis, but rising resistance necessitates new treatments. This study introduces models to study gonococcal eye infections and develop novel therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infant blindness from Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus) was historically devastating but is now rare in developed nations due to prophylaxis.
- Limited understanding exists regarding gonococcal eye colonization and the pathogenesis of gonococcal keratitis.
- Rising antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae demands research into all disease aspects, including ocular infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present models for studying Neisseria gonorrhoeae eye infections.
- To investigate the interactions between gonococci and corneal tissues/cells.
- To explore potential novel therapeutic strategies for gonococcal eye infections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized excised bovine corneas for infection models.
- Employed coculture of gonococci with primary human corneal epithelial cells.
- Established in vitro systems to mimic N. gonorrhoeae ocular infection.
Main Results:
- Successfully established models for Neisseria gonorrhoeae eye infection.
- Demonstrated the utility of these models for exploring bacterial-corneal interactions.
- Provided a platform for investigating new anti-infective agents.
Conclusions:
- The developed models offer valuable tools for studying gonococcal keratitis.
- Further research using these models can aid in combating antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- These models are crucial for developing new treatments against gonococcal eye infections.
Abstract:
Prophylaxis with silver nitrate and later antibiotics has significantly reduced the cases of infant blindness from gonococcal infection at birth to the point where it has all but been forgotten in the developed world as the devastating disease that it was in the pre-antibiotic era. As a result, while it is known that the bacteria are transmitted to the eyes during passage through the infected birth canal, little is known about Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonization of the eye and the establishment and progression of keratitis. Treatment failures due to rising antimicrobial resistance necessitate investigations into all aspects of gonococcal disease, including eye infections, so that new treatment strategies can be developed. Here we present models for N. gonorrhoeae eye infection using excised bovine corneas and coculture of gonococci with primary human corneal epithelial cells. These models can be used to explore the interactions of the bacteria with corneal tissues and cells and to investigate novel therapeutics against infection.
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