Reduction of mucoid Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to intraocular lenses by selected antimicrobial agents

The effect of low concentrations of various antimicrobial agents on the adherence of mucoid Staphylococcus epidermidis to intraocular lenses was investigated. Adherent growth of S. epidermidis on to polymethylmethacrylate lenses was greatly diminished by ciprofloxacin and clindamycin (>75%), followed by ceftazidime (approximate to 50%) and less affected by gentamicin and vancomycin (<25%) compared to the adherent growth of control untreated cells. The reduction in adherence growth was concentration-dependent and found to be due to the inhibition of slime production since no growth inhibition was observed at the concentrations used. Cell surface hydrophobicity was markedly reduced in parallel to the inhibition of adherence as compared to the control cells. The differential effect of antibiotics on adherence, regard less of their antimicrobial activity, may have a clinical significance in reducing the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis and intraocular inflammation due to the reduction of cell adherence.