title: Endophthalmitis Prophylaxis Using a Single Drop of Thermoresponsive Controlled-Release Microspheres Loaded with Moxifloxacin in a Rabbit Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postsurgical endophthalmitis is a sight-threatening problem. We introduce a simple approach by using a single application of thermoresponsive controlled-release microspheres, loaded with moxifloxacin, to prevent bacterial endophthalmitis in a rabbit endophthalmitis prevention model.
  
  
  METHODS
  We separated 24 rabbits into 3 treatment groups in which topical drop treatment was placed onto the conjunctival cul-de-sac: (1) a single drop of controlled-release microspheres containing moxifloxacin, (2) a single drop of controlled-release microspheres without moxifloxacin, and (3) multiple topical treatment with moxifloxacin alone every 15 minutes for 1 hour. All rabbits were challenged, 1 hour after microspheres drop placement and immediately after the fifth topical dose of moxifloxacin, with anterior chamber injections of Staphylococcus aureus. Rabbits in the topical moxifloxacin group also were treated after challenge and four additional times over the next 24 hours. After 24 hours, the rabbits were clinically evaluated for endophthalmitis and the animals were euthanized to culture for intraocular S. aureus. The treatment groups were compared statistically for bacterial endophthalmitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No eyes had endophthalmitis, based on clinical presentation and/or positive culture, in the groups with controlled-release microspheres loaded with moxifloxacin (0/8, 0%) or multiple drops of topical moxifloxacin (0/8, 0%). In contrast, 8 of 8 eyes (100%;P= 0.0001), had endophthalmitis among eyes treated with controlled-release microspheres drops without moxifloxacin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single drop of controlled-release microspheres loaded with moxifloxacin was successful in preventing endophthalmitis. Further clinical studies will be required to confirm the full potential of controlled-release anti-infective loaded microspheres to prevent endophthalmitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents a simple method of prophylaxis to prevent postsurgical endophthalmitis.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), The Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mammen
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), The Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Romanowski
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), The Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Morgan V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Fedorchak
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), The Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Deepinder K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Dhaliwal
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), The Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Shanks
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), The Charles T. Campbell Eye Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Regis P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kowalski
keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; drug delivery; endophthalmitis; microspheres; prophylaxis