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(An)aerobic bacteria found in secondary-cataract material

A SEM/TEM study

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Abstract

Twentyfour patients, who had marked reduction of vision due to secondary-cataract developed after an ECCE, were treated by surgical cleaning of the posterior lens capsule. During this procedure globular secondary-cataract material was removed and collected for morphological examination by SEM and TEM. Fragments of various sizes and shapes, including some with a ‘golfball’ structure, were seen; these closely resembled particles frequently found in cataractous lenses. In addition, in 18 patients micro-organisms were found: rod-shaped bacteria, cocci, and in 2 cases yeasts. These findings were the more remarkable because these were clinically quiet eyes with no signs of intra-ocular inflammation and cultures have been persistently negative. We imagine that these bacteria must have entered the eye during the cataract extraction and have settled there without causing an infection.

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Kalicharan, D., Jongebloed, W.L., Los, L.I. et al. (An)aerobic bacteria found in secondary-cataract material. Doc Ophthalmol 82, 125–133 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157002

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