title: The antimicrobial agent C31G is effective for therapy for HSV-1 ocular keratitis in the rabbit eye model.
abstract: The amphoteric C31G solution contains equimolar alkyl dimethlyglycine and alkyl dimethyl amine oxide buffered with citric acid. C31G acts as a broad spectrum antiviral and an antibacterial. No previous in vivo studies have been done to test C31G in an animal model of HSV-1 ocular keratitis. We assessed the anti-herpetic activity of C31G in the rabbit eye model using three treatment groups: (1) 1% trifluorothymidine (TFT); (2) 0.25% C31G plus 0.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC); and (3) vehicle, 0.5% HPMC. Scarified rabbit corneas were inoculated with the HSV-1 strain McKrae. On post inoculation (PI) day 3, rabbits were placed in three balanced groups based on slit-lamp examination (SLE) scores. Treatment began on PI day 3, five times a day for five consecutive days. In addition to the daily, masked SLE scoring, the eyes were assessed daily for stromal opacity, scleral inflammation, neovascularization, eyelid inflammation, inflammatory discharge, and epiphora. C31G and TFT were very effective in reducing the lesions and pathogenesis associated with HSV-1 ocular keratitis. The vehicle control scores were significantly higher and did not effectively treat HSV-1 keratitis. C31G has the potential to be used to treat herpetic keratitis as well as other herpetic topical lesions in humans.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), Department of Ophthalmology, 533 Bolivar Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States; Department of Microbiology, LSUHSC, United States; Neuroscience Center, LSUHSC, 2020 Gravier Street, 8th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States; Department of Pharmacology, LSUHSC, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States. Electronic address: jhill@lsuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Ethan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Partha S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bhattacharjee
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malamud
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Walter J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lukiw
authors.forename: Augusto C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Cruz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: Harris E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: McFerrin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001622:Betaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D001622:Betaine; C038360:C 31G
keywords: Anti-herpetic; C31G; HSV-1 keratitis; Novel anti-herpetic; Novel anti-viral; Rabbit