title: Bacterial contamination in soft contact lens wearers.
abstract: We prospectively analyzed bacterial contamination in 15 soft contact lens wearing subjects. Contact lenses, cases, tips of saline solution bottles, and conjunctiva were cultured. Cultures were positive for 13 subjects (86.6%). Contamination was present in 13 contact lens cases (86.6%), 12 contact lenses (80.0%), nine saline solution bottles (60.0%), and in the conjunctiva of three patients (20.0%). Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis) were the most frequently isolated organisms. Staphylococcus aureus was the only gram-positive organism isolated. We discuss the possible sources of contamination, and emphasize the importance of contact lens care instruction.
authors.affiliation: Contact Lens Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lipener
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nagoya
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Zamboni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lewinski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwitko
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D018639:Contact Lens Solutions