title: Short imidazolium chains effectively clear fungal biofilm in keratitis treatment.
abstract: Fungal keratitis is a leading cause of ocular morbidity throughout the world. However, current therapies against fungal keratitis are often ineffective. Herein, we have developed the amphiphilic main-chain imidazolium polymer (PIM-45) and oligomer (IBN-1) materials that can efficiently inhibit the growth of fungi with low minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) values and clear the fungal biofilm, while displaying minimal hemolysis. In vivo keratitis treatment indicates that topical solutions of these polyimidazolium salts (PIMSs) are safe and as effective as that of amphotericin B, the most commonly used agent for the treatment of Candida albicans (C. albicans) keratitis. Compared to the costly and unstable amphotericin B and fluconazole, PIM-45 and IBN-1 are easy to prepare, inexpensive and stable. They can be stored in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solutions with long shelf life for routine topical use.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore.
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Siti Nurhanna
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Riduan
authors.forename: Jackie Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Yugen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D007093:Imidazoles