Microbiological profile of anterior chamber aspirates following uncomplicated cataract surgery

• Main Authors: Prajna N, Sathish S, Rajalakshmi P, George Celine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 1998-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Anterior chamber; aspirate; cataract surgery; culture
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=1998;volume=46;issue=4;spage=229;epage=232;aulast=Prajna

Anterior chamber aspirate cultures were done for 66 patients who underwent either an uncomplicated intracapsular cataract extraction, extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior-chamber intraocular lens implantation, or phacoemulsification with posterior-chamber intraocular lens implantation. The aspirate was obtained at the time of wound closure. The aspirates were immediately transferred to the microbiology laboratory where one drop of the aspirate was placed on a glass slide for gram stain, and the remainder was unequally divided and inoculated into blood agar, chocolate agar and thioglycolate broth. The cultures were incubated at 37° C with 5% CO₂ and held for 5 days. Of 66 patients 4 (6%), had smear-positive anterior chamber aspirates. None of the aspirates showed any growth on any of the 3 culture media used. None of the eyes in the study developed endophthalmitis. This study concludes that there is no contamination of the anterior chamber by viable bacteria after cataract surgery, irrespective of the mode of intervention.