Efficacy of topical and systemic itraconazole as a broad-spectrum antifungal agent in mycotic corneal ulcer. A preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of topical (1%) and systemic itraconazole against common fungi such as Aspergillus and other filamentous fungi that cause mycotic corneal ulcer.


METHODS
A prospective randomised, controlled study was done in 54 clinically suspected cases of fungal keratitis of which 44 were culture proven. Half the cases (n=27) with superficial involvement were treated with only topical itraconazole (1%) and the other half were treated with both topical and systemic itraconazole.


RESULTS
Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were the most common fungi isolated. The ulcer resolved in 42 eyes (77%) and 12 eyes (23%) did not respond well to treatment. Four of 12 non-responding eyes were caused by Fusarium species.


CONCLUSIONS
Itraconazole, given either topically or systemically, is effective in treating mycotic corneal ulcers.
Agarwal
P K
PK
Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Calcutta, India. pankaj_eye@yahoo.com
Roy
P
P
Das
A
A
Banerjee
A
A
Maity
P K
PK
Banerjee
A R
AR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010407:Penicillium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole