Lipopolysaccharide in adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the cornea and contact lenses

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the role of smooth or rough lipopolysaccharide on adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria to the rat cornea in vitro and on contact lenses of differing types. Methods. Adherence of a smooth (AK957) and isogenic rough strain (AK1012) of P. aeruginosa bacteria to rat corneas that were either normal, traumatized using a 20-gauge needle or treated for 15 min with 0.1N sodium hydrochloric acid was assessed by homogenization and viable counting. Adherence of these organisms to 43 unworn contact lenses representing the four Food and Drug Administration lens groups was also assessed using viable counts. Results. Attachment to contact lenses was greater for the smooth strai..