[Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the rabbit corneal epithelium].

Adherence of bacteria to the corneal epithelium is the first step in the pathogenesis of corneal infection. Keratitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa usually occurs among the contact lens wearers. Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to rabbit corneal epithelium, damaged by one week of hard contact lens wear, was examined histologically. The cornea was excised for scanning electron microscopy at 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after inoculation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.2 ml, 10(8)CFU/ml). Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not adhere to the intact corneal epithelium, but traumatized cornea provided a site for adherence. In rabbits in which the eyelid was opened by lid retractors, large numbers of organisms were observed adhering to the injured cornea mediated by ocular surface mucin. Thirty minutes after inoculation, the adherent bacteria began to penetrate the epithelial cells and surface mucin by the formation of pockets surrounding the organism.