Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To evaluate a potentially noninvasive method of detecting bacteria and common ocular pathogens using fluorescence spectroscopy. Methods:Emission, excitation, and synchronous fluorescent scans of several common ocular pathogens including Pseudomonas, Staph. Aureus, E. coli, and Bacillus subtilis suspended in normal saline at an optical density of approximately 1.00 were performed. Data was graphed illustrating the intensity of the fluorescence stimulated by the wavelength of excitation and compared. Results:Each of the tested pathogens demonstrated a "fingerprint" pattern of fluorescence intensity peaks at particular wavelengths. The patterns of the peaks were sufficient to differentiate the organisms. Conclusion:Bacteria in solution can be identified by their characteristic peaks using fluorescence spectroscopy. This technology may allow for rapid detection of intraocular infections noninvasively. It may prove to be a useful means of rapidly identifying bacteria in both clinical ophthalmology and in other health care situations, including possibly identifying potential biological weapons such as Bacillus species.
Keywords: 469 microbial pathogenesis: experimental studies • 432 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • 358 clinical laboratory testing