Microbiologic analysis of aqueous humor in phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed as a microbiologic survey of the fluids aspirated from the anterior chamber at the end of cataract extraction performed by phacoemulsification, and to correlate the contamination rate of the anterior chamber to the surgical technique used.


METHODS
One hundred and one consecutive patients (126 eyes) who underwent cataract extraction by phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were included in the study. Microscopical examination, culture, and determination of the number of colonies were carried out on the bacteria and fungi in the anterior chamber fluids aspirated at the end of surgery, before final suture placement.


RESULTS
Anterior chamber fluids yielded positive cultures in nine specimens (8.14%), six of which were identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci. Quantification disclosed colony counts ranging between 2-10 and 10-40 per mL.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results in a small population show that the contamination of the aqueous humor is significantly less frequent if the cataract extraction is performed by phacoemulsification.
Oguz
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Harran, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Satici
A
A
Guzey
M
M
Aslan
G
G
Tasci
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003030:Coagulase / Q000032:analysis; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification
D003030:Coagulase