title: Poloxamer 407 as a bacterial adhesive for hydrogel contact lenses.
abstract: Bacterial adherence and colonization of biomedical prosthetic implants is one of the main causes for implant withdrawal. The abhesive (anti-adhesive) effect of poloxamer 407 on several Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains and the site of action of its effect have been investigated. Poloxamer 407 significantly inhibited 92-99% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adherence to hydrophilic contact lenses (P < .05). This adherence inhibition was concentration-dependent. A reduction of about 50-60% was obtained for Staphylococcus strains, and 50-70% for Gram-negative strains other than Pseudomonas. The poloxamer seems to act on the bacteria surface, but not on the contact lens surface. Poloxamer 407 could potentially prevent implant-related infections and keratitis associated with contact lens wear, by inhibiting bacterial adherence onto the implant or contact lens surface.
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Portolés
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Refojo
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D011060:Poloxalene / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D011060:Poloxalene