Ciprofloxacin microprecipitates and macroprecipitates in the human corneal epithelium.
In 4 corneal transplantation patients treated preoperatively with ciprofloxacin ophthalmic drops, microprecipitates associated with damaged corneal epithelium were noted in 2 patients. Another patient developed a large macroprecipitate in a corneal ulcer. All specimens were examined by electron microscopy and high-pressure liquid chromatography. The crystalline precipitates were pure ciprofloxacin. The macroprecipitate demonstrated a large zone of inhibition on agar plates seeded with a susceptible organism at 24 and 48 hours. It was bioactive and bioavailable in vitro.
Eiferman
R A
RA
Research Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. reiferman@cs.com
Snyder
J P
JP
Nordquist
R E
RE
D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D002939:Ciprofloxacin