Inhibition of bacterial adherence to a high-water-content polymer by a water-soluble, nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drug.

Deposition and aggregation of lachrymal proteins on the contact lens surface can promote bacterial adherence. Lysozyme is the major tear protein and is also mainly responsible for the formation of protein deposits on contact lenses. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) prevent protein aggregation. The effect of a water-soluble NSAID drug on bacterial adherence to high-water-content/ionic disposable contact lenses was examined in a radiolabeling study. Dose-related inhibition of adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on both pretreated lenses and after adding the drug to the medium was investigated. When the drug was added to the media, maximal inhibition of S. aureus adherence was observed in trypticase soy broth (59-98% at the lower and higher drug concentrations, respectively); inhibition progressively decreased in calf aqueous humor (48-75%), lysozyme (34-63%), and saline (12-20%) solutions. Inhibition of adherence varied with the three bacterial species; it was maximal with S. aureus, intermediate with S. epidermidis, and minimal with P. aeruginosa. When lenses were pretreated with the drug, consistent, and even higher, inhibitory effects were observed. The results suggest that water-soluble NSAIDs could be used in preventive treatments for conjunctivae and corneal infections in contact lens wearers, and may provide a clue as to which compounds might inhibit protein interaction and bacterial adhesion.