Efficacy of topical caspofungin in experimental fusarium keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of caspofungin in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium keratitis and to compare it with amphotericin B.


METHODS
Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups and 1 control group. One cornea of each rabbit was inoculated with Fusarium solani spores. The first group received topical amphotericin B 0.15%, the second group received topical caspofungin 1%, and the control group received topical balanced salt solution hourly for 2 days and then 4 times daily for 3 additional days. Treatment effects were evaluated by clinical assessment at days 3 and 5 and by fungal culture after 5 days of treatment.


RESULTS
In the treatment groups, progression of keratitis was inhibited, and cultures were sterile at the end of the study. In the control group, keratitis progressed, and cultures were positive for F. solani.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical caspofungin is effective in Fusarium keratitis, and clinical efficacy studies seem justified.
Ozturk
Faruk
F
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. drfaruk2@yahoo.com
Yavas
Guliz Fatma
GF
Kusbeci
Tuncay
T
Cetinkaya
Zafer
Z
Inan
Umit Ubeyt
UU
Ermis
Sitki Samet
SS
Kiraz
Nuri
N
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077336:Caspofungin; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D054714:Echinocandins; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055666:Lipopeptides; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D000666:Amphotericin B; D000077336:Caspofungin