INHIBITION OF BACTERIAL ADHERENCE TO A HIGH-WATER-CONTENT POLYMER BY A WATER-SOLUBLE, NONSTEROIDAL, ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUG

Deposition and aggregation of lachrymal proteins on the contact lens s urface can promote bacterial adherence. Lysozyme is the major tear pro tein and is also mainly responsible for the formation of protein depos its on contact lenses. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) pr event protein aggregation. The effect of a water-soluble NSAID drug on bacterial adherence to high-water-content/ionic disposable contact le nses was examined in a radiolabeling study. Dose-related inhibition of adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Pseudomonas a eruginosa on both pretreated lenses and after adding the drug to the m edium was investigated. When the drug was added to the media, maximal inhibition of S, aureus adherence was observed in trypticase soy broth (59-98% at the lower and higher drug concentrations, respectively); i nhibition progressively decreased in calf aqueous humor (48-75%), lyso zyme (34-63%), and saline (12-20%) solutions. Inhibition of adherence varied with the three bacterial species; it was maximal with S. aureus , intermediate with S. epidermidis, and minimal with P. aeruginosa. Wh en lenses were pretreated with the drug, consistent, and even higher, inhibitory effects were observed. The results suggest that water-solub le NSAIDs could be used in preventive treatments for conjunctivae and corneal infections in contact lens wearers, and may provide a clue as to which compounds might inhibit protein interaction and bacterial adh esion. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.