New study finds cause of corneal infections

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New study finds cause of corneal infections

http://www.wkyc.com/news/health/health_article.aspx?storyid=82555

Created: 2/2/2008 2:24:41 PM

Updated:2/2/2008 5:41:57 PM

Cleveland-- Research from University Hospitals Case Medical Center

found what is actually causing infections from soft contact lens

users.

Back in 2006, Bausch and Lomb removed ReNu with MoistureLoc from

store shelves because it caused corneal infections.

Now researchers are saying that these infections are caused by a

structure of microbial cells held together with a glue-like

substance called biofilms.

" Biofilms are a constellation of resistant organisms, " said Dr.

Mahmoud Ghannoum, director of Medical Mycology at University

Hospitals Case Medical Center. " They were suspected with the spate

of infections in 2005-2006, but until this study, there were no data

to prove this. This is the first in-vitro model for cornea keratitis

infections caused by the fungus Fusarium, which was one of the main

culprits in the ReNu with MoistureLoc cases, and another fungus

called Candida albicans. "

Researchers tested six different lenses all produced by different

companies and two contact lens solutions against the strains. They

also said, the ReNu product is useless against the biofilm and the

lens industry needs to take precautions against the fungal biofilm.

Doctors are urging soft contact lens users to wash them thoroughly

and do not top-off solutions because of a possible biofilm

contamination.