Analysis in Results of Microbiologic Exam Related to Donor Corneas

Abstract

Purpose: This study analyzed the microorganisms identified in donor corneas and their clinical significance.Methods: The medical records of 94 patients (114 eyes) who underwent keratoplasty and microbiological tests of the donor corneas from October 2008 to December 2020 at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. During keratoplasty, we conducted microbiological tests of the corneoscleral rim of the donor cornea and preserving solution Optisol™-GS (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA), and examined the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates from the cultures.Results: Some isolates of domestic donor corneas revealed bacteria, but none of the imported corneas did. Gram-negative bacilli were detected from the corneoscleral rim in three eyes (2.6%): two cases of Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus and one case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In one case (0.9%), Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus was identified from preserving solution, with no bacteria found in the corneoscleral rim. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed multi-drug resistance, except to colistin. In all cases where bacteria were detected, there was no keratitis or endophthalmitis after corneal transplantation.Conclusions: Although rare, bacteria can be identified from donor corneas or the preserving solution used in corneal transplantation. Therefore, caution is needed in all processes dealing with donor corneas. Empirical antibiotics that have sufficient antimicrobial activity to suppress multi-drug resistant bacteria should be selected in corneal transplantation.