AN ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT ASSOCIATED WITH RABBIT PRIMARY AQUEOUS-HUMOR

Viability curves were recorded for a variety of bacteria suspended in rabbit primary aqueous humour. Controls included neat rabbit serum, di lute rabbit serum (1/50), dilute heat treated fetal bovine serum (1/50 ), and balanced salt solution. Rabbit aqueous humour was bactericidal in vitro for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microco ccus spp, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were not affec ted. The factor mediating the bactericidal effect survives filtration (0.2 mu m porosity) and freezing in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) b ut is labile when stored in air at temperatures of 4 degrees C, 25 deg rees C, and 37 degrees C for 1 hour. The bactericidal effect was stabl e when aqueous humour was stored in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37 degr ees C for 3 hours. The antibacterial component in rabbit aqueous humou r has yet to be identified.