Role of 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide and 1% povidone iodine in experimental Aspergillus keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide and 1% povidone iodine in experimental keratitis.


METHODS
Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis was induced by corneal intrastromal injection of spores in 24 healthy rabbits that were randomly divided into four groups of six rabbits each. Drugs used were 5% natamycin (standard antifungal), 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) (test drug), 1% povidone iodine (test drug), and 0.5% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) (control).


RESULTS
The average healing times of the ulcer were 21.5 +/- 3.08 days with 5% natamycin, 27.8 +/- 2.28 days with 0.02% PHMB, 36.4 +/- 2.57 days with 1% povidone iodine, and 38.2 +/- 4.74 days with 0.5% HPMC. While no corneal perforations occurred with natamycin treatment, one perforation was noted with PHMB, three perforations were noted with povidone iodine, and five perforations were noted with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyhexamethylene biguanide (0.02%) is a moderately effective drug for experimental Aspergillus keratitis, but 1% povidone iodine is not effective.
Panda
Anita
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Center for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India.
Ahuja
Rakesh
R
Biswas
Nihar Ranjan
NR
Satpathy
Gita
G
Khokhar
Sudershan
S
D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000502:physiology; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000382:microbiology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010866:Natamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001645:Biguanides; D004202:Disinfectants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; C031233:polihexanide; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D010866:Natamycin