Background/AimWe compared the quality of human donor corneas stored in a cold storage medium containing 2.5 μg/ml of amphotericin B (Kerasave, AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L., Ponte San Nicolò, Italy) and Optisol-GS (Bausch & Lomb Inc., Bridgewater, NJ, USA) for 14 days.MethodsSixteen pairs of human donor corneas were collected in Eusol-C (AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L., Ponte San Nicolò, Italy). Next, all tissues underwent the first evaluation that included the assessments of central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell density (ECD) measured using both trypan blue staining and specular microscopy, endothelial cell (EC) mortality and morphology, and corneal transparency within 24 hours from recovery (Day 1). Afterwards, one cornea of each pair was transferred into Kerasave or Optisol-GS. ECD and CCT were also assessed at Day 7, and all the metrics were evaluated again at the end of the storage period (Day 14).ResultsAt all tested time points, no differences were found in the qualitative (corneal transparency, EC morphology) and quantitative metrics (ECD, CCT, EC mortality) between the Kerasave and the Optisol-GS storage groups. At Day 14, the corneas stored in Kerasave and Optisol-GS showed ECD of 2312±98 and 2335±128 cells/mm2 (p=0.886), CCT of 717±17 and 697±19 μm (p=0.454) and central EC mortality of 0.54%±0.40% and 0.14%±0.14% (p=0.719), respectively.ConclusionsThe new amphotericin B−containing medium Kerasave was comparable to Optisol-GS in terms of preservation of corneal characteristics at 2–8°C for 14 days.
ObjectiveThis study aimed at validating the method for sterility testing of the corneal culture medium, TISSUE-C, and the transport/deswelling medium, CARRY-C, according to the method suitability test, as defined by the European Pharmacopoeia (EP), using RESEP, which is a new medical device for removal of antimicrobial agents and an automated culture system.Methods and analysisThe six EP reference strains were inoculated in TISSUE-C and CARRY-C. Half of the samples were treated with RESEP (RESEP+ group) prior to the sterility testing, whereas the remaining samples were untreated (RESEP− group). Growth controls were obtained by direct inoculation of the micro-organisms in the culture broths. Microbial growth was read by an automated light scattering culture system within 48 hours.ResultsThe use of RESEP allowed detection of microbial growth in 100% of the tested samples, with a mean time to detection (TTD) comparable with that of the growth control group. Significantly lower sensitivity (38.83%±20.03% for both media, P<0.05) and TTD variability, depending on the tested micro-organism, were observed in the RESEP− group. The method specificity was 100% for both groups.ConclusionThe use of RESEP increased the sensitivity of the sterility testing method to 100% and, for the first time, allowed validation of the method for sterility testing of corneal storage media according to the EP method suitability test. This further increases the safety of the corneas intended for transplantation.
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