Molecular and microbiological evidence of bacterial contamination of intraocular lenses commonly used in canine cataract surgery

Abstract

Inflammatory outcomes, including toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) and infectious endophthalmitis, are potentially painful, blinding complications following cataract surgery. In an in vitro pilot study, commercially available, sterile foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) used during routine canine cataract surgery, and their packaging fluid were surveyed for the presence of bacterial DNA and/or viable (cultivable) bacteria. Swabs from IOLs and packaging fluid from three different veterinary manufacturers and three different production lots/manufacturer were collected for 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing. Packaging fluid samples were collected for aerobic/capnophilic bacterial culture. Culture yielded one isolate, identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed distinct brand-specific bacterial DNA profiles, conserved between IOLs and packaging fluid of all production lots within each manufacturer. The dominant taxonomy differentiating each manufacturer was annotated as Staphylococcus sp, and was a 100% match to S. epidermidis. Distinct mixtures of bacterial DNA are present and consistent in IOLs and packaging fluid depending on the manufacturer, and Staphylococcus is the dominant contributor to the bacterial DNA detected. Caralens products had a significantly lower amount of Staphylococcus spp. compared to Anvision and Dioptrix products.

Ophthalmic viscoelastics commonly used in cataract surgery: A microbiota investigation

“…and was a 100% match to S. epidermidis . Distinct mixtures of bacterial DNA were present and consistent in IOLs and packaging fluid depending on the manufacturer, and Staphylococcus was the dominant contributor to the bacterial DNA detected 14 . Viscoelastic type was a significant factor impacting the prevalence of FW following cataract surgery in dogs 6 .…”

“…DNA extraction of the viscoelastic samples was performed as previously described. 14 Briefly, the bead tubes containing the viscoelastic samples were agitated using a TissueLyser II (Qiagen) and then handled according to the Qiagen manufacturer's instructions. Final DNA elutions were performed in 60 μL EB buffer (Qiagen), and the samples were plated for 16 S rRNA library preparation.…”

“…The current study was an in vitro investigation with a small sample size, similar to the previously reported data. 14 A power analysis was not performed, but the number of viscoelastic samples was chosen in an attempt to survey the community structure of the various manufacturers. Hyaluronidases were not utilized in the endotoxin quantification arm of this study to break down the hyaluronate molecule and improve accessibility for the LAL assay.…”

“…Distinct mixtures of bacterial DNA were present and consistent in IOLs and packaging fluid depending on the manufacturer, and Staphylococcus was the dominant contributor to the bacterial DNA detected. 14 Viscoelastic type was a significant factor impacting the prevalence of FW following cataract surgery in dogs. 6 A microbiota investigation of ophthalmic viscoelastic materials is the logical next step to further our understanding of FW, TASS, and infectious endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.…”

“…[7][8][9][10] Limited reports in both human and veterinary literature exist regarding sequencing analysis of sterile commercial products used during cataract surgery and their relationship to post-operative endophthalmitis outbreaks. [11][12][13] A recent publication 14 describes an investigation of commonly used canine intraocular lenses and their packaging fluid. Conventional bacterial culture yielded one isolate, identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis.…”