Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
Published on: April 6, 2016
Multi-purpose Disinfecting Solutions only Partially Inhibit the Development of Ocular Microbes Biofilms in Contact
Fabiano B M de Araújo1, Vinicius C Morais2, Bianca T M de Oliveira2
1Department of Molecular Biology, Curse of Post-Graduation in Cellular and Molecular Biology, CCEN, UFPB, João Pessoa, Brazil.
Purpose:
Certain ocular resident or pathogenic microbes may remain viable in the presence of multi-purpose disinfectant solutions (MPDSs), subsequently developing biofilms inside contact lens storage cases (CLSCs) which pose a risk of infection to wearers. This study evaluated the formation of ocular microbiota biofilms exposed to three top selling MPDS.
Methods:
Crystal violet assay was carried out for the verification of biofilm formation. The in vitro assays evaluated Pseudomonas aeruginosa UFPEDA 416 and Staphylococcus aureus UFPEDA 02 exposure of 48 h to MPDS, as well as the use of 40 KHz ultrasound at the beginning and with 24 h immersion in the MPDS. Subsequently, in vivo assays evaluated the formation of microbial biofilms on the CLSC walls containing silicone-hydrogel contact lenses immersed in MPDS from 15 healthy volunteer patients, who had been wearing the lenses for 7 days.
Results:
Biofilms were inhibited by 26%-98% in the in vitro assays, with a statistically significant difference only for P. aeruginosa UFPEDA 416 exposed to diluted MPDS. Most inhibitions occurred moderately and weakly. In addition, adherent cells were detected in more than 90% of the tests. Biofilm was not inhibited in more than one third of the results, nor was it disturbed, especially with the ultrasound treatments. The average of obtained optical densities at 590 nm was between 0.6 and 0.8 in the in vivo assays. The results were similar between the CLSC right and left wells. There was a correlation between microbial biofilm formation and the type of MPDS tested, with statistical difference between the three treatments.
Conclusion:
MPDS promoted a partial inhibition of microbial biofilm formation but only one MPDS proved to be more effective in vitro and in vivo. This study, however, could not distinguish the effect of possible errors in the good hygiene practices of the users.
Insights
Multi-purpose disinfectant solutions (MPDSs) partially inhibit microbial biofilm formation on contact lens storage cases (CLSCs). One MPDS showed greater effectiveness in vitro and in vivo, though user hygiene practices remain a factor.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Microbial biofilms in contact lens storage cases (CLSCs) pose infection risks to contact lens wearers.
- Pathogenic microbes can survive multi-purpose disinfectant solutions (MPDSs), leading to biofilm development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of three leading MPDSs in preventing ocular microbiota biofilm formation.
- To assess biofilm formation on contact lenses and CLSCs under different MPDS conditions.
Main Methods:
- In vitro crystal violet assays assessed biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus exposed to MPDS and ultrasound.
- In vivo studies monitored biofilm formation on silicone-hydrogel contact lenses and CLSCs from 15 healthy volunteers over 7 days.
- Microbial adherence and optical densities were measured to quantify biofilm presence.
Main Results:
- MPDSs demonstrated partial inhibition of biofilm formation (26%-98%) in vitro, with significant inhibition only for P. aeruginosa with diluted MPDS.
- Adherent microbial cells were detected in over 90% of tests; ultrasound treatments did not consistently inhibit biofilm.
- In vivo assays showed moderate optical densities (0.6-0.8), indicating biofilm presence, with variations correlated to MPDS type.
Conclusions:
- MPDSs offer partial inhibition of microbial biofilm formation, but effectiveness varies.
- One MPDS exhibited superior performance in vitro and in vivo.
- The study could not isolate the impact of user hygiene practices on biofilm formation.
More Related Videos
11:47Evaluation of the Efficacy of Organic Peroxyacids for Eradicating Dairy Biofilms Using an Approach Combining Static and Dynamic Methods
Published on: December 9, 2022
07:47Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases
Published on: January 1, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:26Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
01:29Biofilms