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Bacterial aspects of chronic blepharitis.
Transactions of the Ophthalmological Societies of the United Kingdom
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Chronic blepharitis involves bacterial contributions, particularly Staphylococcus and Propionibacterium acnes. These bacteria produce enzymes that may alter meibomian secretions, impacting disease expression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Chronic blepharitis is a common ocular condition with various clinical presentations.
- A bacterial component has been suspected in the pathogenesis of blepharitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bacterial lypolytic exoenzymes in different forms of chronic blepharitis.
- To identify specific bacterial species and their enzymatic contributions to the disease.
Main Methods:
- Clinical evaluation of patients with chronic blepharitis.
- Identification of bacterial species and assessment of lypolytic exoenzyme production.
- Analysis of meibomian secretions for abnormalities in free fatty acids.
Main Results:
- A primary bacterial component was identified in staphylococcal and mixed seborrheic/staphylococcal blepharitis.
- Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Propionibacterium acnes share a common pathway contributing to blepharitis.
- Increased production of lypolytic exoenzymes by coagulase-negative staphylococci was observed in seborrheic blepharitis and meibomian keratoconjunctivitis.
- Abnormalities in meibomian free fatty acids suggest bacterial exoenzymes alter secretions.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial lypolytic exoenzymes play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis, particularly in staphylococcal and seborrheic forms.
- While primary pathogens are clear in some forms, various bacteria may contribute to disease expression across all types of chronic blepharitis.