title: Survival of Acanthamoeba in contact lens rinse solutions.
abstract: Acanthamoeba may cause a severe keratitis in contact lens wearers. Since most sterilization techniques require rinsing the lenses prior to insertion, contaminated solutions represent a potential vector for transmission of Acanthamoeba. The ability of rinse solutions to sustain an inoculum of Acanthamoeba polyphaga was investigated. A. polyphaga was exposed to 0.1% benzalkonium chloride, 0.001% thimerosal/0.1% edetate disodium, 0.1% edetate disodium, saline, tap water, and distilled water. The status of the organism was evaluated with direct microscopic counts and cultures to confirm viability. Incubation with 0.1% edetate disodium, saline, tap water, and distilled water resulted in the maintenance of reduced populations of viable organisms for 7 days. Benzalkonium chloride preserved saline and solutions containing thimerosal with edetate rendered the Acanthamoeba nonviable.
authors: Eye & Ear Institute of Pittsburgh, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors: R C
authors: RC
authors: Nauheim
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Brockman
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Stopak
authors: P W
authors: PW
authors: Turgeon
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Keleti
authors: M I
authors: MI
authors: Roat
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Thoft
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003261:Contact Lenses; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000494:pharmacology; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013849:Thimerosal; D004492:Edetic Acid