Has the introduction of multi-purpose solutions contributed to a reduced incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens wearers?: a review (original) (raw)

Acanthamoeba keratitis in Scotland: risk factors for contact lens wearers

Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 1999

Objective: To investigate risk factors for Acanthamoeba keratitis amongst contact lens wearers in Scotland. Design: Patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis in the Scottish study, all of whom wore contact lenses, were compared with 46 healthy asymptomatic contact lens-wearing controls. They were all visited at home for contact lens and environmental microbiological sampling. In addition, all 288 optical practices in the West of Scotland were polled for contact lens types and disinfecting solutions sold in 1995, and a sample, each of whom fitted more than 500 contact lenses per year, were polled for a second time. Independently, a poll was commissioned by the Eyecare Information Service in July/August 1995 to estimate the numbers of contact lens wearers in Scotland and the UK. Industry was polled for numbers of each contact lens disinfecting regimen sold in Scotland in 1995. Setting: West of Scotland, UK. Subjects: All contact lens wearers among the 3 million population of the West of Scotland Health Board Areas. Main outcome measures: Risk factors for Acanthamoeba infection and recommendations for its prevention. Results: When Acanthamoeba infection occurred, patients' home water systems were frequently (54%) found to be colonised by this amoeba. Patients more frequently washed their storage cases in tap water than controls (P < 0.05) with resulting contamination, kept storage cases wet rather than air drying them (P < 0.05), and had coliform bacteria cultured from the storage case (P < 0.05) and had viable Acanthamoeba within the storage case (P < O.O001). Overall, patients were found to have significantly more risk factors than controls (P < O.

Efficacy of Contact Lens Disinfecting Solutions for Prevention of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 1991

Purpose. To evaluate the disinfection properties of multipurpose contact lens disinfection solutions, based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14729 guidelines. Methods. ReNu with MoistureLoc MultiPurpose Solution, OPTI-FREE Express with Aldox MultiPurpose Solution, Betadine 5% sterile ophthalmic preparation solution (povidone iodine), and 0.9% normal saline solution were inoculated with strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Surviving bacteria were quantified at specified times. Results. ReNu with Mois-tureLoc, OPTI-FREE Express, and 5% ophthalmic povidone iodine were effective in achieving a 5-log reduction in bacterial count. Additionally, all three products maintained their effectivity at 72 hours. However, ReNu with MoistureLoc and povidone iodine resulted in the greatest reduction in bacterial colonization. Conclusions. ReNu with MoistureLoc, OPTI-FREE Express, and 5% ophthalmic povidone iodine meet the ISO 14729 guidelines for standalone contact lens solutions. However, ReNu with Moisture-Loc and 5% ophthalmic povidone iodine are most efficient in reducing and maintaining low bacterial count for a period of 72 hours.

National Outbreak of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Associated with Use of a Contact Lens Solution, United States

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2009

An outbreak of Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare, potentially blinding, corneal infection, was detected in the United States in 2007; cases had been increasing since 2004. A case-control study was conducted to investigate the outbreak. We interviewed 105 case-patients from 30 states and 184 controls matched geographically and by contact lens use. Available contact lenses, cases, solutions, and corneal specimens from case-patients were cultured and tested by molecular methods. In multivariate analyses, case-patients had significantly greater odds of having used Advanced Medical Optics Complete Moisture Plus (AMOCMP) solution (odds ratio 16.9, 95% confidence interval 4.8-59.5). AMOCMP manufacturing lot information was available for 22 case-patients, but none of the lots were identical. Three unopened bottles of AMOCMP tested negative for Acanthamoeba spp. Our findings suggest that the solution was not intrinsically contaminated and that its anti-Acanthamoeba efficacy was likely insufficient. Premarket standardized testing of contact lens solutions for activity against Acanthamoeba spp. is warranted.

The Association of Contact Lens Solution Use and Acanthamoeba Keratitis

American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2007

To investigate Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) risk factors. Diagnosis of AK, a rare but serious corneal infection, has recently increased significantly at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Cornea Service. Retrospective case-control study. settings: University, tertiary care hospital. patients: Fifty-five AK cases with contact lens use were diagnosed between May 1, 2003 and September 15, 2006. Clinic-matched controls with contact lens use were recruited. Subjects completed surveys targeting lens hygiene, contact lens solution use, and water exposure. main outcome measure: Acanthamoeba keratitis. Thirty-nine (73.6%) cases and 113 (65.3%) controls participated; 38 cases had complete contact lens data. Thirty-five of 38 cases (92.1%) and 47 of 100 controls (47.0%) used soft lenses. Analysis was performed on 30 cases and 39 controls with matched pairs with soft lens use. Exclusive use of Advance Medical Optics (AMO) Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution was independently associated with AK in multivariable analysis (55.2% vs 10.5%; odds ratio [OR], 16.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.11 to 162.63; P = .008). However, 38.8% of cases reported no use of AMO Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution either alone or in combination with other solutions. Although not statistically significant, additional hygiene-related variables (solution &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;reuse,&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; lack of &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;rubbing,&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; and showering with lenses) suggest a pattern of risk. AMO Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution use is independently associated with AK among soft contact lens users. However, it does not explain all cases, suggesting additional factors. Further research into environmental risk factors and hygiene practices is warranted, especially considering this is the second outbreak of an atypical, contact lens-related infection.

Strategies for the prevention of contact lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review

Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 2015

Purpose: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a severe, often sight threatening, corneal infection which in Western countries is predominantly seen in daily wear of contact lenses. This review aims to summarise the pathobiology and epidemiology of contact lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis, and to present strategies for prevention, particularly with respect to modifiable risk factors in contact lens wear. Recent Findings: The virulence of Acanthamoeba and resistance to treatment in keratitis appears to be linked with the production of a low molecular weight protease MIP133 by the organism, in response to binding to corneal epithelial cells through a mannose binding protein, and to the ability of the organism to convert from the trophozoite to the resistant cyst form. Recent epidemiological studies in contact lens relate disease have confirmed the link between solution topping up and Acanthamoeba keratitis and have reinforced the importance of avoidance of tap water, either as part of the care for the contact lens or storage case, handling lenses with wet hands or showering while wearing lenses. In the most recent analysis from the USA, there were no strong effects for solution type, water source or water disinfection process. Wearer age, lens wear time and history to appear to be linked with Acanthamoeba keratitis. Daily disposable contact lens use would be expected to reduce the prevalence of Acanthamoeba disease although this is unproven. Summary: While Acanthamoeba keratitis remains challenging to diagnose and manage, strategies to limit the disease severity in contact lens wearers should include attention to recently identified risk factors, particularly those related to water contact. Public health awareness measures, the use of daily disposable contact lenses, a better understanding of the contribution of the host immunity and the development of standardised methods for culture of amoeba and testing of contact lens care systems against Acanthamoeba in the licensing process may be of value. Alternative treatments for the future may include those which target the mannose binding protein or the genes which control conversion to the cyst form.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis Associated With Tap Water Use During Contact Lens Cleaning

Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice, 2013

Contact lens-associated Acanthamoeba keratitis continues to be a significant cause of visual morbidity in the United States. Although exposure to water sources while wearing lenses has been a known risk factor for infection for decades, this behavior in several contact lens hygiene protocols continues to prevail. In this review, we surveyed the currently available contact lens cleaning solutions for both soft and rigid gas-permeable contact lenses and reviewed the cleaning instructions of the available solutions. Discrepancies between clinician recommendations and written instructions on a solution packages continues to persist, and we advocate a revision in current manufacturer guidelines to include explicit warnings against use of tap or distilled water sources for cleaning contact lenses or their storage cases.

In Vitro Effectiveness of Soft Contact Lens Solutions Available on the Dutch Market against Acanthamoeba Species

Pathogens

Acanthamoeba keratitis is almost universally associated with contact lens (CL) use. Until today, however, CL solution manufacturing protocols lack testing of anti-amoebic activity. This study investigates the effectiveness of CL solutions available on the Dutch market against trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Sixteen CL solutions were tested: 13 multiple purpose solutions (MPS), 2 hydrogen peroxidase solutions (HPS) and 1 povidone-iodine-based solution (PIS). The Spearman–Karber (SK) log reduction method and an XTT colorimetric assay were used to evaluate the effectiveness at the manufacturer’s minimum recommended disinfection time (MMRDT) and after eight hours. At the MMRDT, one MPS showed an SK mean log reduction (MLR) of >3.0 against A. castellanii trophozoites. Two additional MPS and both HPS reached this threshold after eight hours. The SK MLR values for A. polyphaga trophozoites were between 1 and 3 at all time points. Using the ...

Anti-Acanthamoeba activity of contact lens solutions

British Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998

Aims-This study was undertaken to investigate the eVects of contact lens disinfecting solutions on strains of Acanthamoeba from the United Kingdom and southern Africa and to compare the results with those of other researchers. No information was previously available for southern African isolates. Methods-11 contact lens solutions were tested on cysts of 10 strains of Acanthamoeba. Results-Not all solutions used in the study were eVective, with some for hard and gas permeable contact lenses being more satisfactory than those for soft contact lenses. The most eVective of the gas permeable and hard contact lens solutions tested was Transoak (0.01% (wt/vol) benzalkonium chloride), which killed cysts of all strains within 4 hours of exposure.