A comparison of gatifloxacin to ciprofloxacin in the prophylaxis of Streptococcus pneumoniae in rabbits in a LASIK model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of the fourth-generation fluoroquinolone, gatifloxacin 0.3%, compared to ciprofloxacin 0.3%, in preventing Streptococcus pneumoniae keratitis in a rabbit laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) model.


METHODS
Twelve albino rabbits had bilateral lamellar flaps created. Group A (eight eyes) was given gatifloxacin 0.3%; group B (eight eyes) was given ciprofloxacin 0.3%; and group C (eight eyes) served as the controls. Groups A and B received one drop of antibiotic 20 minutes before the creation of the lamellar flap, at the conclusion of flap formation, and four times per day for 3 days. All corneas were inoculated with 0.1 mL of 4 x 10 organisms/mL of S. pneumoniae immediately after flap formation. On day 3, all corneas were examined and cultured.


RESULTS
Group A (gatifloxacin) had no infiltrates and three areas of 1-mm central corneal haze. On day 3, one of eight corneas had a positive culture. Group B (ciprofloxacin) had seven infiltrates, including one perforation, and six of eight corneas had positive cultures. Group C (control) had eight corneal infiltrates, and all eight corneas had positive cultures. The data show a statistically significant difference between gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin and control for mean infiltrate size and mean culture scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The fourth-generation fluoroquinolone, topical gatifloxacin 0.3%, is superior to topical ciprofloxacin 0.3% for prophylaxis against a clinical isolate of S. pneumoniae in a rabbit LASIK model.
Donnenfeld
Robert S
RS
Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, USA.
Perry
Henry D
HD
Solomon
Renée
R
Jensen
Harold G
HG
Stein
Jonathan
J
Snyder
Robert W
RW
Wittpenn
John R
JR
Donnenfeld
Eric D
ED
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D000077734:Gatifloxacin