Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the mouse cornea. Epithelial v stromal adherence
G. A. Stern, D. Weitzenkorn and J. Valenti
Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the cornea is the first step in the
pathogenesis of Pseudomonas corneal ulceration. To determine the roles of
epithelial and stromal adherence, a quantitative in vivo model of adherence
was developed in the mouse. More than twice as many organisms were
recovered from mouse corneas in which two linear abrasions were created
compared with corneas totally denuded of epithelium. Scanning electron
microscopy demonstrated poor adherence of Pseudomonas to bare stroma, but
large numbers of organisms were seen adhering to the injured edge of
epithelium. This study supports the concept that corneal trauma predisposes
to Pseudomonas corneal ulceration by creating an injured epithelial edge as
a site for adherence of the organisms, rather than by exposing areas of
bare stroma susceptible to penetration by the organisms.
