Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
07:52
Conjunctival Commensal Isolation and Identification in Mice
Published on: May 1, 2021
Distinct Ocular Surface Microbial Profiles in Corneal Transplant Candidates
Annalisa Astolfi1,2, Michele Potenza3, Carmen Ciavarella1
1DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Cornea
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Corneal transplant candidates have different ocular surface bacteria than healthy individuals, with higher diversity and more opportunistic microbes. Prior eye surgery impacts this microbial diversity, suggesting a role in transplant outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- The ocular surface microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health.
- Understanding microbial shifts is vital for optimizing corneal transplantation outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the ocular surface microbiome in corneal transplant candidates.
- To investigate microbial alterations related to corneal endothelial decompensation and surgical history.
Main Methods:
- Conjunctival swabs analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Alpha and beta diversity calculated using Shannon index and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity.
- Microbial composition compared across patient groups and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Corneal transplant candidates showed higher microbial alpha diversity than healthy controls.
- Distinct microbial communities were observed between pretransplant patients and controls.
- Patients with prior penetrating keratoplasty had higher microbial diversity than those with phacoemulsification.
Conclusions:
- Corneal transplant candidates possess unique ocular surface microbial profiles.
- Prior ocular surgery influences microbial diversity in transplant candidates.
- The ocular surface microbiome may be a factor in corneal transplant assessment and outcomes.
