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Ocular surface flora in drowning victims
T D Lindquist1, K A Allen, K R Weber
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-0001, USA.
Cornea
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Drowning victims’ donor eyes show unique ocular surface flora, with increased streptococcal and gram-negative bacteria. This highlights the need for thorough decontamination and appropriate antibiotic use in corneal storage media.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Contaminated allograft donor tissue is a unique infection risk in keratoplasty.
- The ocular surface flora of drowning victims may differ from non-drowning donors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the ocular surface flora of donor eyes from drowning victims.
- To determine if drowning uniquely affects the microbial profile of the ocular surface.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of perilimbal cultures from 28 donor eyes of 14 drowning victims over 30 months.
- Comparison of microbial findings with previous studies on non-drowning donor eyes.
Main Results:
- 93% of limbal cultures from drowning victims were positive for microorganisms.
- 57% of donor eyes grew streptococcal species, and 46% grew multiple species.
- Markedly higher incidence of gram-negative isolates compared to previous studies.
Conclusions:
- Drowning significantly alters ocular surface flora, increasing streptococcal and gram-negative organisms.
- Emphasizes the critical need for rigorous globe decontamination protocols.
- Recommends appropriate antibiotic coverage in corneal storage media to mitigate infection risk.