Bacterial contamination of hydrophilic contact lens solutions marketed in spain

Optom Vis Sci. 1996 Aug;73(8):529-32. doi: 10.1097/00006324-199608000-00002.

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of hydrophilic contact lens solutions may play an important role in contact lens-associated ocular infections. This study investigated bacterial contamination in 52 different hydrophilic contact lens solutions marketed in Spain by 12 different companies. We filtered the entire contents of 5 new, factory-sealed bottles from each of the 52 brands and cultured the fitter on a neutralizing broth plate. Bacteria were cultured, isolated, and identified from 29 of the 260 bottles tested (11.15%). Eight of the 52 brands had at least 1 of the 5 bottles contaminated (15.38%). Contaminated solutions originated from four different companies. One manufacturer contributed most of the positive cases due, presumably, to an industrial contamination by Pseudomonas fluorescens. The rest of the culture-positive bottles were contaminated by Bacillus spp. and Oerskovia spp.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetales / isolation & purification*
  • Bacillus / isolation & purification*
  • Contact Lens Solutions*
  • Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic*
  • Drug Contamination*
  • Humans
  • Microbiological Techniques
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens / isolation & purification*
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Contact Lens Solutions