Detection of virulence factors in Serratia strains isolated from contact lens-associated corneal ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports on the microbiological findings pertaining to three Serratia isolates from soft contact lens-related corneal ulcers, which represent a complication of contact lens wear reported with increasing frequency.


METHODS
Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed using the Vitek system. Serratia's ability to form biofilm, produce gelatinase, elastase and alkaline protease, and invade human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells was investigated. The isolates' susceptibility to the following disinfectants was tested: (a) ReNu MultiPlus(®) , containing polyaminopropyl biguanide 0.0001%; (b) Opti-Free Express(®) , containing polyquaternium-1 0.001% and myristamidopropyldimethylamine 0.0005%; (c) Opti-Free Replenish(®) , containing polyquaternium-1 0.001% and myristamidopropyldimethylamine 0.0005%, and (d) Oxysept Comfort(®) , a one-step 3% hydrogen peroxide-catalase system.


RESULTS
Two Serratia marcescens and one Serratia liquefaciens were identified. All the strains were susceptible to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. No isolate formed biofilm or significantly invaded HCE cells; all produced alkaline protease and gelatinase, but not elastase. Opti-Free Express(®) and Opti-Free Replenish(®) were active against S. liquefaciens, but failed to kill the S. marcescens isolates within the minimum recommended time (6 hours). ReNu MultiPlus(®) needed 6 hours to kill one strain of S. marcescens, which is 2 hours more than recommended. Conversely, Oxysept Comfort(®) was always effective within the minimum recommended time (6 hours).


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to produce alkaline protease and gelatinase may play a major role in the pathogenesis of contact lens-related Serratia keratitis. Several types of contact lens solutions may be ineffective in eradicating Serratia from contaminated contact lens cases within the minimum recommended time. Only exposure to Oxysept Comfort(®) was always effective against Serratia in this study.
Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. apinna@uniss.it
Antonio
A
Pinna
Donatella
D
Usai
Leonardo A
LA
Sechi
Arturo
A
Carta
Stefania
S
Zanetti
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000382:microbiology*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000628:therapy; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D044090:Serratia liquefaciens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D037521:Virulence Factors; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; C032923:microbial serine proteinases; D018093:Gelatinases