Contamination of contact-lens-related sources with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The studies conducted sought to estimate contamination of contact lens (CL) storage cases and commercial solutions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as to investigate everyday sources, which the CL wearer uses or comes into contact with. The studies revealed that 13. 1% of storage lens cases and 5.1% of commercial solutions in use were positive for the bacterium. Ten hermetically sealed CL solutions were tested for possible contamination, but these all proved to be sterile. In addition, environmental samples, of both a solid and liquid nature, yielded relatively high contamination rates with this opportunistic bacterium. Results showed that common sources, which the CL wearer is in contact with, possess P. aeruginosa and this may indeed predispose to corneal infections. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel