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Cohort studyJapanese journal of ophthalmology · 2026

Microbial contamination of donor corneoscleral rims and storage medium in keratoplasty.

Atsuhiko Fukuto, Suzu Deie, Yurie Shimizu … Taiichiro Chikama

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OphthalmologyCohort study

Donor cornea tissue or storage fluid was contaminated with microbes in 3.5% of transplants.

Microbial contamination of donor corneoscleral rims and storage medium in keratoplasty.

Atsuhiko Fukuto … Taiichiro Chikama

Japanese journal of ophthalmology · 2026

Purpose

To investigate the prevalence and spectrum of microbial contamination of donor corneoscleral rims and storage medium in keratoplasty and to report a case of donor-derived fungal keratitis.

Methods

We reviewed 285 eyes that underwent keratoplasty at Hiroshima University Hospital between October 2022 and January 2025.

n = 285 eyes

3.5%

Results

3.5%

germs found on donor tissue or its storage fluid before transplant

n = 285 eyes

More results

All tested bacterial isolates were Gram-positive; three of six tested were not susceptible to levofloxacin and gatifloxacin (minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥4 μg/mL), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but retained susceptibility to vancomycin and meropenem.

More results

All fungal isolates were Candida with low minimum inhibitory concentrations for voriconazole and micafungin.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Adding storage medium to the rim culture improved the detection of donor-associated microorganisms. When donor-derived C.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

albicans keratitis developed, susceptibility data from contemporaneous cultures enabled prompt targeted antifungal therapy and globe preservation, although repeated penetrating keratoplasty was ultimately required.

Post

Microbial contamination of donor corneoscleral rims and storage medium in keratoplasty.

Donor cornea tissue or storage fluid was contaminated with microbes in 3.5% of transplants.

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