Bausch + Lomb Reports Resistance Profiles of Ocular Pathogens 
in the United States and Canada at 2014 ARVO Annual Meeting

Fifth Year of US ARMOR Surveillance Data Shows Increasing Antibiotic Resistance 
Among Important Ocular Pathogens

First-ever Collection of Susceptibility Data Across Canada 
Provides Baseline for Future Monitoring

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Researchers from Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, reported results from the fifth consecutive year of the ARMOR (Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular MicroRganisms) surveillance study in the United States and the first data from a study in Canada at the 2014 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.1,2  ARMOR is the only multi-center survey of antibiotic resistance patterns specific to eye care in North America.

The U.S. ARMOR study compared results available from surveillance in 2013 to results from 2012.  By the time of this analysis, ARMOR study participants from 27 U.S. sites had collected a total of 239 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Haemophilus influenzae, all organisms frequently implicated in bacterial infections of the eye, and tested them for susceptibility to as many as 16 available ophthalmic antibiotics.1 

Study authors reported that from 2012 to 2013, antibiotic resistance rates increased among isolates of already problematic strains of staphylococci and P. aeruginosa.  For example, preliminary results show non-susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and imipenem may have doubled from the previous year to 14 percent and 21 percent respectively. Non-susceptibility of isolates of S. aureus and CoNS also increased slightly year over year, exceeding 50 percent for oxacillin/methicillin and azithromycin.  Multi-drug resistance was common among 2013 CoNS and S. aureusisolates (38-39 percent), particularly among methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococci (60-81 percent).1

"This annual survey is valuable to the clinical community because it is our only source of information about the changing resistance patterns of significant ocular pathogens," said Mitchell A. Jackson, M.D., Founder and Medical Director of Jacksoneye, Lake Villa, IL. "The ARMOR study provides susceptibility information that may be useful in antibiotic selection and ocular infection management while keeping the issue of evolving antibiotic resistance itself top-of-mind for the eye care professional.  Because ineffective antibiotic therapy may not only be sight-threatening but also hastens the development of treatment resistant strains of bacteria, we all bear some responsibility for continued vigilance regarding resistance patterns and care in therapeutic selection.”

For the first time, surveillance data was also reported from Canada.  A total of 180 clinical isolates were collected from patients with ocular infections, caused by pathogens including S. aureus, CoNS, P. aeruginosa, H. influenzae, and S. pneumonia, from seven geographically-dispersed sites.  Broth microdilution susceptibility testing was performed for up to 16 antibiotics used in the treatment of ocular infections, with reported resistance rates for the 2012-2013 collection period.2

About Bausch + Lomb 
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing, and restoring people’s eyesight. Our core businesses include ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. We develop, manufacture and market one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in our industry with products available in more than 100 countries.  
  
REFERENCES
 1. Sanfilippo CM, Morris TW, Deane J, et al.  Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Ocular Pathogens – An Update from the 2013 US ARMOR Surveillance Study. [6281 - B0200. Thursday, May 8, Noon – 1:45 p.m., Exhibit/Poster Hall SA, Corneal Infection and Inflammation]

2. Blondeau JM, Sanfilippo CM, Morris TW, et al. In vitro Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Ocular Pathogens – Results from the First ARMOR Canada Surveillance Study.  [6297 - B0248. Tuesday, May 6, 8:30 – 10:15 a.m., Exhibit/Poster Hall SA, Clinical and Translational Studies in Ocular Infection and Immunity]

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News Media Contacts
Tad Heitmann
BioComm Network on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
(714) 273-2937 or theitmann@BioCommNetwork.com