Evaluation of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in nine horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in horses in the northeastern United States.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
9 horses (10 affected eyes).


METHODS
All horses treated for keratomycosis at Cornell University between July 1994 and July 1996 were included in the study. The diagnosis of keratomycosis was confirmed by cytologic examination, and all horses were treated with 0.25 ml of a 1% itraconazole-30% dimethyl sulfoxide petrolatum-based ointment, applied to the affected eye every 4 hours.


RESULTS
Topical application of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment (q 4 h) resolved keratomycosis in 8 of 10 eyes; mean duration of treatment was 34.6 days (range, 16 to 53 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicate topical administration of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment may provide an additional treatment option for horses with keratomycosis.
Ball
M A
MA
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Rebhun
W C
WC
Gaarder
J E
JE
Patten
V
V
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009089:Mucor / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009824:Ointments; D017964:Itraconazole; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide