Carlo Bruttini1, Carlotta Pallone1, Alice Verticchio Vercellin1,2,3, Giovanni Acerbi4, Santina Baschetti5, Pietro Bruttini6, Ivano Riva2, Luciano Quaranta1. 1. University Eye Clinic, IRCCS, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. 2. IRCCS, Fondazione G.B. Bietti, Rome, Italy. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA. 4. Ophthalmology Department, San Carlo Clinic, Paderno Dugnano, Italy. 5. Microbiology Department, San Carlo Clinic, Paderno Dugnano, Italy. 6. Ophthalmology Department, San Camillo Clinic, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the pre-operative conjunctival flora in patients undergoing cataract surgery with major local and/or systemic risk factors for developing post-operative infection. METHODS: A total of 83 patients underwent bacterial culture and sensitivity testing of conjunctival swabs obtained from both eyes because of local risk factors at the pre-operative visit (i.e. chronic blepharitis, conjunctivitis, or lacrimal system disease), and/or systemic risk factors (i.e. autoimmune or skin disorders) for developing post-operative infection. If the swab was found positive, an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed, and a specific antibiotic therapy was administered. Surgery was performed when a repeat conjunctival swab (after antibiotic treatment) showed negative cultures. RESULTS: Cultures were found positive in 25.3% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus (18%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (15%) were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were present in nine cases (8%). CONCLUSION: Present results showed a low rate of swab positivity compared to previous published data, and slightly different microbial flora. The differences observed may be caused by geographical factors and/or to the specific characteristics of the subgroup of studied patients. Considering that the surface microbial flora is one of the major causes of endophthalmitis, this information may be useful in selecting antibacterial regimens to prevent serious ocular infections, and restrain the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.
PURPOSE: To investigate the pre-operative conjunctival flora in patients undergoing cataract surgery with major local and/or systemic risk factors for developing post-operative infection. METHODS: A total of 83 patients underwent bacterial culture and sensitivity testing of conjunctival swabs obtained from both eyes because of local risk factors at the pre-operative visit (i.e. chronic blepharitis, conjunctivitis, or lacrimal system disease), and/or systemic risk factors (i.e. autoimmune or skin disorders) for developing post-operative infection. If the swab was found positive, an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed, and a specific antibiotic therapy was administered. Surgery was performed when a repeat conjunctival swab (after antibiotic treatment) showed negative cultures. RESULTS: Cultures were found positive in 25.3% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus (18%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (15%) were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were present in nine cases (8%). CONCLUSION: Present results showed a low rate of swab positivity compared to previous published data, and slightly different microbial flora. The differences observed may be caused by geographical factors and/or to the specific characteristics of the subgroup of studied patients. Considering that the surface microbial flora is one of the major causes of endophthalmitis, this information may be useful in selecting antibacterial regimens to prevent serious ocular infections, and restrain the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cataract; conjunctival flora; conjunctival swab; endophthalmitis; prophylaxis; surgery