Contact Lens-related Keratitis (CLRK)

Contact lens-related keratitis (CLRK) is an important ocular complication that tends to develop as a result of contact lens wear. This may potentially endanger vision. Protheragen is integrating molecular diagnostics, drug discovery, and gene therapy to treat the disease. In particular, we aim to provide advanced solutions to the pharmaceutical industry regarding its drug research and development.

Overview of Contact Lens-related Keratitis (CLRK)

Contact lens-related keratitis appears to be a multifactorial condition. The leading factor in CLRK is most microbial infections, especially those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, and other microbes such as Fusarium species, and Acanthamoeba protozoa. All of these pathogens can attach themselves to contact lenses and produce biofilms that are difficult to eliminate with normal antimicrobial therapeutics. The chances of acquiring CLRK increase significantly with extended wearing of lenses and the lack of sufficient hygiene practices. The symptoms can vary from mere redness and corneal discomfort to debilitating corneal ulcers and near-total loss of vision.

Fig.1 Visual outcome of contact lens-related bacterial keratitis (CLBK). (Suresh L., et al., 2024)

Diagnostics Development for Contact Lens-related Keratitis

• Bacterial Keratitis Diagnostics
  The infamous keratitis related to the contact lens is bacterial keratitis. The invention of molecular diagnostics has improved the detection of bacterial pathogens. Methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) make it possible to identify bacterial DNA with high precision and accuracy. For example, within a few hours, PCR assays can target and detect Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. This allows for the swift commencement of targeted antibiotic therapeutics.
• Fungal Keratitis Diagnostics
  Cultural fungi require a significant amount of time to grow which is also the reason why diagnosing fungal keratitis is a tasking process. Fortunately, with the improvements in molecular diagnostics through the use of real-time PCR and multiplex assays, detection rates have gotten better. For instance, diagnosing and identifying the specific TEF1 gene allows for the improvement of the assumption of their accuracy. As a result, antifungal therapeutics can be given and not wasted.
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis Diagnostics
  This specific type of keratitis is associated with severe cases and the use of contact lenses. It is precise, using contacting lenses, myopic people. Old methods of diagnosis that are known like microscopy and culture are not enough. However, modern techniques such as PCR have proven to be very effective. The methods serve to detect not just Acanthamoeba but identify its different species which is essential in knowing the appropriate model of therapeutics.

Therapeutics Development for Contact Lens-related Keratitis

Our Services

Protheragen is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for contact lens-related keratitis. Our comprehensive suite of services encompasses diagnostics, therapeutics, and preclinical research, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address the complexities of CLRK.

Diagnostics Development

• Karyotype Analysis Service
• Omics Analysis Service
• Biomarker Development Service
• Artificial Intelligence Service
• Customized Diagnostics Development Service

Therapeutic Development

• Small Molecule Drug
• Cell Therapy
• Gene Therapy
• Therapeutic Antibody
• Therapeutic Peptide
• Therapeutic Protein

Disease Models

• Contact Lens Induction Rabbit Models
• Pathogen Inoculation Mouse Models
• Trauma-Induced Ulcers Models
• Feline Herpesvirus (FHV) Viral Infection Cat Models

Preclinical Research

• Pharmacodynamics Study Services
• Pharmacokinetics Study Services
• Drug Safety Evaluation Services
• Customized Research Services

Protheragen's preclinical research services are designed to support the development of effective diagnostics and therapeutics for CLRK. Our comprehensive preclinical offerings encompass:

In Vitro Studies

• Microbial Culture and Biofilm Analysis: Evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial agents against biofilm-forming pathogens.
• Cell-Based Assays: Assessing the cytotoxicity and efficacy of novel therapeutics on corneal epithelial cells and immune cells.

In Vivo Studies

• Biomarker Identification: Identifying and validating biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of CLRK progression.
• Animal Models of CLRK: Developing and utilizing animal models to study the pathogenesis of CLRK and evaluate the efficacy of therapeutics.

If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

• Suresh, Lakshmi, et al. "Clinical features, risk factors and outcomes of contact lens-related bacterial keratitis in Nottingham, UK: a 7-year study." Eye 38.18 (2024): 3459-3466.