2007 OMIG, Abstract 18

OMIG Main Page | 2007 Abstracts | < Previous| Next >

Investigation of the Role of a Taurine-Containing Contact Lens Disinfection Solution in the Ongoing Acanthamoeba Keratitis Outbreak.
Elmer Y Tu¹, Megan E Shoff², Charlotte E Joslin¹, Laura Kubatko³, Paul A Fuerst². ¹University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology, ²The Ohio State University, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, ³The Ohio State University, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Purpose: To determine the effect of taurine, a promoter of acanthamoeba encystment and an additive uniquely found in AMO Complete MoisturePlus (AMO-CMP), on the survival of acanthamoeba on exposure to contact lens disinfectants.
Methods: Three clinical and two domestic tap water acanthamoeba isolates were placed on non-nutrient amoeba saline agar containing 0%, 0.05% and 0.25% taurine for 72 hours. Multiple samples of each isolate were then exposed to 4 different commercially available multipurpose solutions (MPS,) including AMO-CMP and Store-Branded AMO solution without taurine or methylcellulose, as well as two one-step hydrogen peroxide systems for 6 and 24 hours. Contact lens solutions were then deactivated and transferred to culture media.  Survival was evaluated by the presence of growth over the following week.
Results: No significant effect was seen with taurine exposure on individual solution efficacy or unique strain survival. All MPS solutions allowed 100% survival at 6 and 24 hours of incubation for all strains tested with the exception of Alcon Optifree which allowed 100% survival of 4 of 5 strains. Hydrogen peroxide systems Clear Care allowed 100% survival of 3 of 5 and 2 of 5 strains at 6 and 24 hours respectively while UltraCare only allowed survival of 1 of 5 strains at the 6 hour time point.
Conclusions: In this model, acanthamoeba survival is significantly affected only by solution and strain type (for both p-value <0.001). This highlights the importance of appropriate multiple strain testing in future evaluation of solution efficacy. Furthermore, survival was equivalent for all levels of taurine exposure in regards to individual strains and disinfection methods suggesting that its addition may not be related to the increase in acanthamoeba keratitis risk seen with AMO Complete MoisturePlus. Further considering the significant portion of patients with acanthamoeba keratitis not using this solution, continued investigation into the underlying causes of the ongoing acanthamoeba outbreak is warranted
.
Funding and Support provided by NIH EY09073, EY15689, Prevent Blindness America, Midwest Eye Banks

OMIG Main Page | 2007 Abstracts | < Previous| Next >