Reduction of mucoid Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to intraocular lenses by selected antimicrobial agents

The effect of low concentrations of various antimicrobial agents on the adh erence of mucoid Staphylococcus epidermidis to intraocular lenses was inves tigated. Adherent growth of S. epidermidis on to polymethylmethacrylate len ses was greatly diminished by ciprofloxacin and clindamycin (>75%), followe d by ceftazidime (approximate to 50%) and less affected by gentamicin and v ancomycin (<25%) compared to the adherent growth of control untreated cells . The reduction in adherence growth was concentration-dependent and found t o be due to the inhibition of slime production since no growth inhibition w as observed at the concentrations used. Cell surface hydrophobicity was mar kedly reduced in parallel to the inhibition of adherence as compared to the control cells. The differential effect of antibiotics on adherence, regard less of their antimicrobial activity, may have a clinical significance in reducing the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis and intraocular inf lammation due to the reduction of cell adherence.