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Ocular infections: antibiotics and bacterial adhesion on biomaterials used in ocular surgery

P Marone1, L Perversi, V Monzillo

  • 1Laboratori Sperimentali di Ricerca-Istituto di Clinica delle Malattie Infettive, IRCCS S. Matteo, Università di Pavia, Italia.

Insights

Ofloxacin and sagamycin show excellent antibacterial activity against ocular pathogens like Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of ofloxacin may increase bacterial adhesion to biomaterials used in eye surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Ocular infections pose a significant threat to vision.
  • Bacterial adhesion to biomaterials is a key factor in ocular device-associated infections.
  • Antibiotic resistance in ocular pathogens necessitates evaluation of new therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of ofloxacin and sagamycin against common ocular pathogens.
  • To investigate the role of bacterial adhesion to ocular biomaterials.
  • To assess the impact of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (subMIC) of ofloxacin on bacterial adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Antibacterial activity was assessed using minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC90) assays against 85 bacterial isolates (CNS, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa).
  • Adhesive properties of slime-producing staphylococci were tested on various ocular biomaterials.
  • The effect of subMIC ofloxacin on bacterial adhesion was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Ofloxacin demonstrated high efficacy against coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90 = 1.56 mg/l).
  • Sagamycin was highly effective against staphylococci (MIC90 = 0.78 mg/l) and the most active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC90 = 6.25 mg/l).
  • Slime-producing staphylococci adhered readily to most ocular biomaterials, except round silicone sponges; subMIC ofloxacin enhanced this adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Ofloxacin and sagamycin are effective against key ocular pathogens.
  • Bacterial adhesion to biomaterials is crucial for ocular infection development.
  • Further research is needed to understand ofloxacin's effect on bacterial adhesion in vivo.

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