Effects of methylprednisolone and cyclosporine A on fungal growth in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The management of corneal transplants after mycotic keratitis often poses a therapeutic dilemma. Clinicians are hesitant to use topical steroids because of their potential enhancement of fungal growth. This study seeks to evaluate the in vitro effects of methylprednisolone and cyclosporine A on the growth of various molds that often are responsible for keratomycoses.


METHODS
Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Aspergillus fumigatus were grown in the presence of varying concentrations of methylprednisolone, cyclosporine A, and vehicle controls. Fungal growth was evaluated in a masked fashion based on the number of colonies and their morphologies.


RESULTS
All tested concentrations of cyclosporine A (1%, 2%, 4%) had a statistically significant suppressive effect on the growth of F. oxysporum (p<0.001) and F. solani (p<0.001) compared with methylprednisolone and vehicle control solutions. A dose-dependent decrease in the number of colonies grown also was noted for F. oxysporum (p<0.001) and F. solani (p<0.001). In the case of A. fumigatus, cyclosporine A significantly decreased the colony size (p<0.015) in a dose-dependent fashion.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclosporine A appears to have an inhibitory effect on fungal growth in vitro. Cyclosporine A may be an important alternative to topical steroids for management of corneal transplants after mycotic keratitis.
Bell
N P
NP
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA.
Karp
C L
CL
Alfonso
E C
EC
Schiffman
J
J
Miller
D
D
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone