Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Contact lenses can be contaminated with various microorganisms, including pathogenic yeasts of the genus Candida, which are known for their ability to adhere to abiotic surfaces, including plastic materials used for various medical purposes. Microbial contamination of the lenses can lead to infection of the wearer\'s eyes. The purpose of this study was to simulate the contamination of contact lenses with C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, analyze the interaction of the microorganisms with the lens material, and optimize the protocol for PCR-based analysis of the microbial agents responsible for lens contamination.
METHODS: Hilafilcon lenses were exposed to C. albicans and C. parapsilosis cultures, washed, and examined for their ability to further spread the contamination. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the attachment of yeast cells to the lenses. Infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the potential changes in the lens material due to Candida contamination. The protocol for DNA isolation from contaminated lenses was established to enable PCR analysis of microbes attached to the lenses.
RESULTS: Hilafilcon lenses contaminated with Candida were able to spread the contamination even after washing with saline or with a commercial cleaning solution. In the present experimental settings, the yeasts did not grow into the lenses but began to form biofilms on the surface. However, the ability of the lenses to retain water was altered. The PCR-based protocol could be used to help identify the type of contamination of contact lenses.
CONCLUSIONS: Once contaminated with Candida albicans or Candida parapsilosis, Hilafilcon contact lenses are difficult to clean. Yeasts began to form biofilms on lens surfaces.
METHODS: Hilafilcon lenses were exposed to C. albicans and C. parapsilosis cultures, washed, and examined for their ability to further spread the contamination. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the attachment of yeast cells to the lenses. Infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the potential changes in the lens material due to Candida contamination. The protocol for DNA isolation from contaminated lenses was established to enable PCR analysis of microbes attached to the lenses.
RESULTS: Hilafilcon lenses contaminated with Candida were able to spread the contamination even after washing with saline or with a commercial cleaning solution. In the present experimental settings, the yeasts did not grow into the lenses but began to form biofilms on the surface. However, the ability of the lenses to retain water was altered. The PCR-based protocol could be used to help identify the type of contamination of contact lenses.
CONCLUSIONS: Once contaminated with Candida albicans or Candida parapsilosis, Hilafilcon contact lenses are difficult to clean. Yeasts began to form biofilms on lens surfaces.
摘要：
目的：隐形眼镜会被各种微生物污染，包括念珠菌属的致病性酵母，它们以粘附在非生物表面的能力而闻名，包括用于各种医疗目的的塑料材料。镜片的微生物污染可导致佩戴者的眼睛感染。这项研究的目的是模拟白色念珠菌和近扁平念珠菌对隐形眼镜的污染，分析微生物与晶状体材料的相互作用，并优化基于PCR分析负责晶状体污染的微生物制剂的方案。
方法：将Hilafilcon晶状体暴露于白色念珠菌和近扁平念珠菌培养物，washed,并检查了它们进一步传播污染的能力。扫描电子显微镜用于分析酵母细胞对晶状体的附着。红外光谱法用于检查由于念珠菌污染引起的晶状体材料的潜在变化。建立从受污染的镜片中分离DNA的方案,以便能够对附着在镜片上的微生物进行PCR分析。
结果：被念珠菌污染的Hilafilcon镜片即使在用盐水或商业清洁液洗涤后也能够扩散污染物。在目前的实验环境中，酵母没有生长到晶状体中，而是开始在表面上形成生物膜。然而,镜片保留水的能力被改变。基于PCR的方案可用于帮助识别隐形眼镜的污染类型。
结论：一旦被白色念珠菌或近带念珠菌污染，Hilafilcon隐形眼镜很难清洁。酵母开始在晶状体表面形成生物膜。
方法：将Hilafilcon晶状体暴露于白色念珠菌和近扁平念珠菌培养物，washed,并检查了它们进一步传播污染的能力。扫描电子显微镜用于分析酵母细胞对晶状体的附着。红外光谱法用于检查由于念珠菌污染引起的晶状体材料的潜在变化。建立从受污染的镜片中分离DNA的方案,以便能够对附着在镜片上的微生物进行PCR分析。
结果：被念珠菌污染的Hilafilcon镜片即使在用盐水或商业清洁液洗涤后也能够扩散污染物。在目前的实验环境中，酵母没有生长到晶状体中，而是开始在表面上形成生物膜。然而,镜片保留水的能力被改变。基于PCR的方案可用于帮助识别隐形眼镜的污染类型。
结论：一旦被白色念珠菌或近带念珠菌污染，Hilafilcon隐形眼镜很难清洁。酵母开始在晶状体表面形成生物膜。
