SCIENTIFIC CORRESPONDENCE

Viability of Acanthamoeba after exposure to a multipurpose disinfecting contact lens solution and two hydrogen peroxide systems

K Hiti¹, J Walochnik², E M Haller-Schober¹, C Faschinger¹ and H Aspöck²

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, University of Graz, Austria
² Department of Medical Parasitology, Clinical Institute of Hygiene, University of Vienna, Austria

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor H Aspöck, Department of Medical Parasitology, Clinical Institute of Hygiene, University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1095 Vienna, Austria;
Horst.Aspoeck{at}univie.ac.at

Background/aim: Contact lens cases contaminated with Acanthamoeba are a major risk factor for an infection of the eye. In this study the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of three different contact lens storage solutions was tested.

Methods: A new multipurpose contact lens storage solution (Meni Care Plus) and a two step (Titmus H₂O₂) and one step (Oxysept Comfort) hydrogen peroxide system were tested for their effects on trophozoites and cysts of three different Acanthamoeba species: A castellanii, A hatchetti, and A lenticulata.

Results: After a soaking time of 8 hours (overnight soaking of contact lenses) the Titmus H₂O₂ 0.6% solution showed very good amoebicidal effects, while Oxysept Comfort 3% H₂O₂ could not effectively destroy the cysts of any of the three tested species. Viable cysts of the species A lenticulata and A hatchetti were still present after exposure to Meni Care Plus (0.0005% PHMB) for 8 hours.

Conclusion: Not all of the three tested contact lens storage solutions have sufficient amoebicidal effects. The two step peroxide system Titmus H₂O₂ is a very effective disinfectant contact lens solution in order to avoid a possible Acanthamoeba infection of the eye.

Keywords: contact lens solution; hydrogen peroxide; Acanthamoeba

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Acanthamoeba and disinfecting contact lens solutions

Antonio Pinna

BJO Online, 19 Jul 2002 [Full text]

Disinfecting solutions: Authors' reply

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BJO Online, 5 Aug 2002 [Full text]