[Antimicrobial decontamination of corneal donor material: infection prevention and quality assurance].
BACKGROUND
Microbiological examinations in eye banks have found an increased contamination rate in preservation media. We studied the effect of prolonged submersion time for decontaminating donor globes.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the primary contamination of conjunctival smears in 76 cornea donors. The submersion time of donor eyes in PVP iodine solution before preparation was prolonged from 1 min to 5 min, and the contamination rate of storage vessels was compared.


RESULTS
In 13 of the 76 conjunctival smears we found no contamination. Before prolonging submersion time, the preservation medium was contaminated in 15 cases, but after 5 min no contamination was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonging the submersion time of donor globes from 1 to 5 min was effective. The model presented here provides guidelines for existing eye banks as well as for those yet to be established.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Strasse 8, 06097 Halle. frank.wilhelm@medizin.uni-halle.de
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F
Wilhelm
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Jendral
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Bredehom
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G
Duncker
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D
Wilhelms
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Kramer
D000985:Antisepsis / Q000379:methods; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D003470:Culture Media; D005125:Eye Banks / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D003470:Culture Media; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions