title: Efficacy of topical caspofungin in experimental fusarium keratitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. drfaruk2@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Guliz Fatma
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Yavas
authors.forename: Tuncay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kusbeci
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cetinkaya
authors.forename: Umit Ubeyt
authors.initials: UU
authors.lastname: Inan
authors.forename: Sitki Samet
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ermis
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kiraz
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D000666:Amphotericin B; D000077336:Caspofungin