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Antifungal efficacy of voriconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin b in experimental fusarium solani keratitis

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of topical voriconazole in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium keratitis.

Methods

Fungal keratitis was induced in the right eyes of 24 New Zealand rabbits. 8.6 × 103 CFU/0.1 ml F.solani spore suspension was injected midstromally into the central cornea. Group 1 received topical amphotericin B 0.15%, group 2 received topical itraconazole 1% and group 3 received topical voriconazole 1% hourly between 08:00 to 22:00 on days 1 and 2; 4 times daily on days 3–5. Control group received topical balanced salt solution at identical intervals. The eyes were examined clinically with a scoring system before treatment (day 0), on day 3 and on day 5. Cultures were taken from the lesion by scraping at the end of the treatment. Clinical scores and microbiologic results were analyzed statistically.

Results

In the control group, keratitis progressed clinically and colony level was 2 × 103 CFU at day 5. In all treatment groups, progression of keratitis was inhibited clinically. Culture was sterile in the group receiving amphotericin B. Colony level was 0.3 × 102 CFU in the itraconazole group and 2 × 102 CFU in the voriconazole group at day 5.

Conclusion

Progression of keratitis was inhibited clinically in all treatment groups. Colony level decreased significantly in all treatment groups. As a result, itraconazole 1% and voriconazole 1% were found to be effective in Fusarium keratitis clinically and microbiologically, although their activity was not as effective as amphotericin B 0.15%.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Pfizer Global Research and Development Laboratories for providing voriconazole.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey

    Güliz Fatma Yavas, Faruk Öztürk, Tuncay Küsbeci, Sitki Samet Ermis & Ümit Übeyt Inan

  2. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey

    Zafer Çetınkaya

  3. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Nuri Kiraz

  4. P.K.25, Bahcelievler, Ankara, Turkey

    Güliz Fatma Yavas

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  1. Güliz Fatma Yavas
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  2. Faruk Öztürk
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  4. Zafer Çetınkaya
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Güliz Fatma Yavas.

Additional information

Voriconazole was provided in powder form from Pfizer Global Research and Development Laboratories.

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Yavas, G.F., Öztürk, F., Küsbeci, T. et al. Antifungal efficacy of voriconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin b in experimental fusarium solani keratitis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 246, 275–279 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-007-0687-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-007-0687-1

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