Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effect of Phacoemulsification (Phaco) and antibiotics on the growth of P. aureginosa in vitro.
Methods: :
One ml of 106 P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 was introduced into silicone test chambers under constant temperature control. Phaco (Chiron Catalyst) was applied to the newly innoculated chambers with power levels set at either 100% and 10 pulses per minute or 0% (controls). Experiment 1.) Phaco (2.0 minutes) was followed by incubation of P. aeruginosa for 4 hours with 0, 0.25, 0.50 MIC of ciprofloxacin . Experiment 2.) Phaco (2 minutes and 30 sec) was followed by incubation for 4 hours with 0, 0.125, 0.25 MIC gentamicin.
Results: :
Phaco alone produced a small, but significant (p= .027) decrease in the initial titers of P. aeruginosa, but there was no effect on growth. Phaco failed to influence the growth of bacteria incubated with ciprofloxacin. Phaco and gentamicin produced a synergistic bacteriolysis with antibiotic concentrations of 0.25 MIC and 2 minute duration (p= .007), 0.125 MIC and 30 sec duration (p= .015).
Conclusions: :
Phaco enhances the bacteriolytic effect of gentamicin on P. aureginosa, possibly by damaging the bacterial cell wall. Energy levels and duration of phacoemulsification may have relevance in regard to clinical infection.
Keywords: Pseudomonas • bacterial disease • endophthalmitis