Viability of Acanthamoeba after exposure to a multipurpose disinfecting contact lens solution and two hydrogen peroxide systems.
OBJECTIVE
Contact lens cases contaminated with Acanthamoeba are a major risk factor for an infection of the eye. In this study the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of three different contact lens storage solutions was tested.


METHODS
A new multipurpose contact lens storage solution (Meni Care Plus) and a two step (Titmus H(2)O(2)) and one step (Oxysept Comfort) hydrogen peroxide system were tested for their effects on trophozoites and cysts of three different Acanthamoeba species: A castellanii, A hatchetti, and A lenticulata.


RESULTS
After a soaking time of 8 hours (overnight soaking of contact lenses) the Titmus H(2)O(2) 0.6% solution showed very good amoebicidal effects, while Oxysept Comfort 3% H(2)O(2) could not effectively destroy the cysts of any of the three tested species. Viable cysts of the species A lenticulata and A hatchetti were still present after exposure to Meni Care Plus (0.0005% PHMB) for 8 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Not all of the three tested contact lens storage solutions have sufficient amoebicidal effects. The two step peroxide system Titmus H(2)O(2) is a very effective disinfectant contact lens solution in order to avoid a possible Acanthamoeba infection of the eye.
Hiti
K
K
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Graz, Austria.
Walochnik
J
J
Haller-Schober
E M
EM
Faschinger
C
C
Aspöck
H
H
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001645:Biguanides / Q000494:pharmacology; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001645:Biguanides; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D004202:Disinfectants; C031233:polihexanide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide