title: Comparative evaluation of the short-term bactericidal potential of a steroid-antibiotic combination versus steroid in the treatment of chronic bacterial blepharitis and conjunctivitis.
abstract: The effects of four days' treatment with topical Maxitrol (neomycin sulphate 3500 IU/mL, polymyxin-B sulphate 6000 IU/mL with dexamethasone 0.1%) were compared with those of Maxidex (dexamethasone 0.1% alone) in a double-masked study in 111 patients with bacterial blepharitis or conjunctivitis, 95 of whom were evaluable for efficacy. The majority of patients (N = 80) had chronic blepharitis. Maxitrol treatment resulted in a significantly greater reduction (90%) in bacterial counts and bacterial eradication (50%) compared with Maxidex (34% and 17% respectively). Maxitrol treatment also produced a significantly greater reduction in conjunctival discharge than did Maxidex, while the treatments were equally effective in alleviating other ocular signs and symptoms. It was concluded that use of a fixed dose combination steroid-antibiotic product was more effective for bacterial control and therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of chronic blepharitis and conjunctivitis patients than treatment with steroid alone. However, in the long-term treatment of chronic blepharitis the well-known toxic problems of neomycin sulphate have to be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Houston Eye Associates, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Shulman
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mester
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005477:Fluprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009355:Neomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; C049064:Maxitrol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005477:Fluprednisolone; D009355:Neomycin; D011112:Polymyxin B