Scleral plug of biodegradable polymers containing ganciclovir for experimental cytomegalovirus retinitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a biodegradable scleral plug containing ganciclovir (GCV) in a rabbit model of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) retinitis.


METHODS
To develop a rabbit model for HCMV retinitis, HCMV solution was injected once into the vitreous cavity of pigmented rabbits. The treated animals were divided into three groups: group A received no treatment, group B was treated once with GCV solution, and group C was treated with a scleral plug containing GCV. Rabbits in group B received an intravitreal injection of GCV solution 1 week after HCMV inoculation. In group C, the scleral plug containing GCV was implanted in the vitreous of the rabbits 1 week after HCMV inoculation. Ophthalmoscopically, vitreoretinal findings in each group were graded from 0+ to 4+ every week for 4 weeks after HCMV injection.


RESULTS
Eyes of group A rabbits showed whitish retinal exudates and vitreous opacities 3 days after HCMV inoculation. These materials increased gradually until 3 weeks after HCMV inoculation. Scores for vitreoretinal lesions were significantly lower in eyes of group B rabbits compared with those of group A at 1 week after GCV injection (P < 0.05). However, vitreoretinal inflammation in eyes of group B rabbits increased again thereafter, and no significant difference in inflammation between groups A and B was found 2 weeks after GCV injection. In eyes of group C, scores for vitreoretinal lesions were significantly lower compared with those in both group A and group B at 3 weeks after HCMV inoculation (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated that sustained release of GCV into the vitreous cavity with biodegradable scleral plugs was effective for the treatment of experimentally induced HCMV retinitis in rabbits.
Sakurai
E
E
Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Japan. ozeki@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Matsuda
Y
Y
Ozeki
H
H
Kunou
N
N
Nakajima
K
K
Ogura
Y
Y
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004343:Drug Implants; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004343:Drug Implants; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D015774:Ganciclovir