April 2014
Volume 55, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2014
Influence of Buffering Systems on Acanthamoeba Encystment Following Prolonged Storage with Experimental Formulations and a Novel Hydrogen Peroxide-based Disinfecting Solution
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Shawn C Lynch
    Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY
  • Christopher Kovacs
    Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY
  • Kimberly A Millard
    Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY
  • Suzanne F Groemminger
    Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY
  • Timothy W Morris
    Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Shawn Lynch, Bausch & Lomb (E); Christopher Kovacs, Bausch & Lomb (E); Kimberly Millard, Bausch & Lomb (E); Suzanne Groemminger, Bausch & Lomb (E); Timothy Morris, Bausch & Lomb (E)
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2014, Vol.55, 4645. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Shawn C Lynch, Christopher Kovacs, Kimberly A Millard, Suzanne F Groemminger, Timothy W Morris; Influence of Buffering Systems on Acanthamoeba Encystment Following Prolonged Storage with Experimental Formulations and a Novel Hydrogen Peroxide-based Disinfecting Solution. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2014;55(13):4645.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: Acanthamoeba protozoa are capable of undergoing a transition from active, mobile trophozoites into a dormant cyst form when exposed to a harsh environment. Previous published work associated this encystment phenomenon with propylene glycol (PG), a demulcent component of a multipurpose disinfecting solution that was recalled in 2007 due to an association to Acanthamoeba keratitis. Here, we examine the effects of PG on encystment of Acanthamoeba in a variety of model systems, including different buffering agents as well as in a novel hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution.

Methods: Test articles included phosphate, borate and phosphate/citrate-buffered solutions (P-BS, B-BS and P/C-BS, respectively) with and without PG (1%), as well as a novel 3% hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution with and without PG (1%). Control articles included the hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solutions Clear Care and Oxysept. A. castellanii ATCC 50370 trophozoites were cultured in antibiotic-free AC6 medium, treated with test and control solutions for 24 hours, 7 days and 14 days, and assessed for encystment via fluorescent microscopy with Calcofluor White staining.

Results: Encystment rates for P-BS with PG were greater than 57% at 24 hours exposure. PG in combination with all other solutions tested demonstrated encystment rates of less than 1%. Encystment rates for all solutions incubated for 7 and 14 days remained low, at less than 5%.

Conclusions: Encystation of Acanthamoeba is due to overall solution formulation as opposed to just the presence of PG in isolation. The lack of encystment observed after 24 hours exposure in B-BS, P/C-BS, and the novel hydrogen peroxide solution each containing 1% PG, compared to the strong positive signal observed in P-BS containing 1% PG, suggests that a compensatory influence of all components of a solution is required to induce encystment. Additionally, prolonged exposure of trophozoites to the solutions tested, including the novel hydrogen peroxide solution post-neutralization, did not stimulate encystment, further challenging the concept of PG-induced encystment. Taken together, these data highlight that encystment of Acanthamoeba is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors, rather than just a single component.

Keywords: 402 Acanthamoeba • 573 keratitis • 726 stress response  
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×