Biofilms Formation on Contact Lenses: Clinical and Bacteriological Study

Abstract

Background: Biofilms can be defined as communities of microorganisms attached to a surface to prevent themselves from the environmental effects and cause infections. A study on microbial contamination associated with contact lenses wearers was carried out on women in Ramadi city, some of them were asymptomatic and others were complaining of redness, tearing and itching. Objectives: Isolation and identification of microbial infection associated with contact lens wearers by examination of the storage case solution, studying of different factors that have effect on microbial infections among contact lenses wearers such as (age, wearing type, symptoms) and Performance of biofilm assay on the new contact lenses, Microtitre plate (MTP) and comparison with used contact lenses and the ability of biofilm formation among different isolates from storage case solution. Material and Methods: Eighty samples of solution were collected from women of different Sources who Contact lenses: Five used and two new contact lenses as well as Microtiter plate (MTP) were used as samples to observe biofilm formation in this study. Sample from twenty new storage solution bottles were used as a control sample Isolation and identification of microorganisms: Macroscopical examination, Culture and Biochemical tests. Microscopic examination were done. According to Yukinobu, el al., 2006. Results: The study was done during the period from April 2008 to Jan. 30th 2009. Samples were collected from (80) women distributed as follows: (housewife, pupil, student, staff and others). Their ages were ranging from 13 – 36 years. The most common age of contamination was found to be ranged between 19-24 years which accumulated for (55%) of all Eye' redness is found to be the most common symptom (26.25%)) complained by the sampled women of this study. Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, Liesteria and Klebsiella were obtained from the storage solutions of contact lenses. According to the optical density showed by Microtitre plate (MTP) Reader, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacterial type associated with biofilm formation for the considered samples. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacterial type associated with Biofilm formations.