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BMC Ophthalmology
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Repertoire of free-living protozoa in contact lens solutions

Authors: Ibtissem Bouchoucha, Aurore Aziz, Louis Hoffart, Michel Drancourt

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

The repertoire of free-living protozoa in contact lens solutions is poorly known despite the fact that such protozoa may act as direct pathogens and may harbor intra-cellular pathogens.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2014, the contact lens solutions collected from patients presenting at our Ophthalmology Department for clinically suspected keratitis, were cultured on non-nutrient agar examined by microscope for the presence of free-living protozoa. All protozoa were identified by 18S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results

A total of 20 of 233 (8.6 %) contact lens solution specimens collected from 16 patients were cultured. Acanthamoeba amoeba in 16 solutions (80 %) collected from 12 patients and Colpoda steini, Cercozoa sp., Protostelium sp. and a eukaryotic more closely related to Vermamoeba sp., were each isolated in one solution. Cercozoa sp., Colpoda sp., Protostelium sp. and Vermamoeba sp. are reported for the first time as contaminating contact lens solutions.

Conclusion

The repertoire of protozoa in contact lens solutions is larger than previously known.
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Metadata
Title
Repertoire of free-living protozoa in contact lens solutions
Authors
Ibtissem Bouchoucha
Aurore Aziz
Louis Hoffart
Michel Drancourt
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-016-0370-6

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