title: Systemic tetracyclines in the treatment of noninfected corneal ulcers: a case report and proposed new mechanism of action.
abstract: Corneal melting refers to a condition in patients whose corneas undergo progressive necrosis of stromal tissue despite being culture negative. Recent evidence has shown that systemic tetracyclines demonstrate anti-collagenolytic activity that may have clinical effectiveness in disease treatment. The evidence led us to try this modality as adjunct therapy in the treatment of an 80-year-old white man with a noninfected corneal ulcer. One gram of tetracycline in four divided doses led to a dramatic resolution of the corneal ulcer. This positive result supports the new concept that tetracycline therapy inhibits tissue collagenolytic enzyme activity by a mechanism unrelated to its antibacterial efficacy and may prove useful in the treatment of nonspecific corneal ulceration.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007635:Keratitis, Dendritic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013752:Tetracycline