The Ocular Microbiome

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 9209

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
2. Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, Anne Bates Leach Eye Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, McKnight Research Pavilions, Rm 103A,1638 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
3. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
Interests: ophthalmology; ocular microbiology; keratitis; ocular infectious diseases
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Guest Editor
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Interests: ocular infections; conjunctivitis; keratitis; ocular surface microbiome; adults; children
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Background: The ocular surface microbiome is a complex network of microorganisms that live on the surface of the eye. Studies have shown that the microbiome is not only composed of bacteria, but also viruses, fungi and rarely protozoa. Various factors can influence these organisms, including ocular surface health, aging, contact lens wear, medications, infections and ocular surgery. Additionally, the interplay between these microorganisms, the ocular surface and invading pathogens may have important roles in disease pathophysiology.

Goal: Basic and translational research on the ocular surface microbiome, the interspecies and intraspecies interactions and host response is required in order to elucidate their roles in the health and disease of the eye.

Scope: This Special Issue will feature the diversity of the ocular surface microbial community, their interactions and impact on ocular surface homeostasis.  Authors are invited to submit original basic and translational research articles or reviews.

The conjunct Special Issue in Vision: The Ocular Microbiome

Prof. Dr. Darlene Miller
Dr. Kara Cavuoto
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 7755 KiB  
Article
Biofilm-Forming Potential of Ocular Fluid Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis on Ex Vivo Human Corneas from Attachment to Dispersal Phase
by Ranjith Konduri, Chinthala Reddy Saiabhilash and Sisinthy Shivaji
Microorganisms 2021, 9(6), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9061124 - 22 May 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5735
Abstract
The biofilm-forming potential of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, isolated from patients with Endophthalmitis, was monitored using glass cover slips and cadaveric corneas as substrata. Both the ocular fluid isolates exhibited biofilm-forming potential by the Congo red agar, Crystal violet and 2,3-bis [...] Read more.
The biofilm-forming potential of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, isolated from patients with Endophthalmitis, was monitored using glass cover slips and cadaveric corneas as substrata. Both the ocular fluid isolates exhibited biofilm-forming potential by the Congo red agar, Crystal violet and 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-(phenylamino) carbonyl-2H-tetra-zolium hydroxide (XTT) methods. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that the thickness of the biofilm increased from 4–120 h of biofilm formation. Scanning electron microscopic studies indicated that the biofilms grown on cover slips and ex vivo corneas of both the isolates go through an adhesion phase at 4 h followed by multilayer clumping of cells with intercellular connections and copious amounts of extracellular polymeric substance. Clumps subsequently formed columns and eventually single cells were visible indicative of dispersal phase. Biofilm formation was more rapid when the cornea was used as a substratum. In the biofilms grown on corneas, clumping of cells, formation of 3D structures and final appearance of single cells indicative of dispersal phase occurred by 48 h compared to 96–120 h when biofilms were grown on cover slips. In the biofilm phase, both were several-fold more resistant to antibiotics compared to planktonic cells. This is the first study on biofilm forming potential of ocular fluid S. aureus and S. epidermidis on cadaveric cornea, from attachment to dispersal phase of biofilm formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Ocular Microbiome)
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8 pages, 226 KiB  
Article
Enterococcus faecalis Endophthalmitis: Clinical Settings, Antibiotic Susceptibility, and Management Outcomes
by Kuan-Jen Chen, Chi-Chun Lai, Hung-Chi Chen, Ying-Jiun Chong, Ming-Hui Sun, Yen-Po Chen, Nan-Kai Wang, Yih-Shiou Hwang, An-Ning Chao, Wei-Chi Wu, Ling Yeung, Chi-Chin Sun, Laura Liu, Yi-Hsing Chen and Hung-Da Chou
Microorganisms 2021, 9(5), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9050918 - 24 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2477
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is known to cause severe acute endophthalmitis and often leads to poor visual outcomes in most ophthalmic infections. This retrospective study is to report the clinical settings, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and visual outcome of E. faecalis endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral [...] Read more.
Enterococcus faecalis is known to cause severe acute endophthalmitis and often leads to poor visual outcomes in most ophthalmic infections. This retrospective study is to report the clinical settings, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and visual outcome of E. faecalis endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral institution in Taoyuan, Taiwan. E. faecalis endophthalmitis was diagnosed in 37 eyes of 37 patients. Post-cataract surgery was the most common cause (n = 27, 73%), followed by bleb-associated (n = 3, 8%), endogenous (n = 2, 5%), corneal ulcer-related (n = 2, 5%), post-vitrectomy (n = 1, 3%), post-pterygium excision (n = 1, 3%), and trauma (n = 1, 3%). Visual acuities upon presentation ranged from counting fingers to no light perception. Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics were performed in 23 eyes (76%) as primary or secondary treatment. All isolates (37/37, 100%) were sensitive to vancomycin, penicillin, ampicillin, and teicoplanin. Six of 22 eyes (27%) were resistant to high-level gentamicin (minimum inhibitory concentration > 500 mg/L). Final visual acuities were better than 20/400 in 11 eyes (30%), 5/200 to hand motions in 4 eyes (11%), and light perception to no light perception in 22 eyes (59%). Three eyes were treated with evisceration. Compared with non-cataract subgroups, the post-cataract subgroup showed a significant difference of better visual prognosis (p = 0.016). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Ocular Microbiome)
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