Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
Published on: July 23, 2016
Topical 0.5% moxifloxacin prevents endophthalmitis in an intravitreal injection rabbit model
Regis P Kowalski1, Eric G Romanowski, Francis S Mah
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. kowalskirp@upmc.edu
Introduction:
Intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal disease have increased the risk of endophthalmitis. We developed a rabbit model to investigate whether topical 0.5% moxifloxacin could prevent endophthalmitis after an intravitreal injection.
Methods:
A rabbit model of intravitreal injection to produce endophthalmitis was developed by injecting triamcinolone into the vitreous through a depot of subconjunctival Staphylococcus aureus (10(7) cfu). Endophthalmitis was evaluated clinically and confirmed by culture. The model was tested with a commercially available brand of topical 0.5% moxifloxacin (N = 10) and saline (N = 10). In brief, after bacterial subconjunctival challenge, a topical treatment was administered every 15 min for 1 h. Immediately thereafter, triamcinolone was injected into the vitreous through the treated bacterial depot. Topical 0.5% moxifloxacin and saline were administered QID over the next 72 h. All rabbits were examined daily, euthanized, and tested for viable bacteria when clinical signs of endophthalmitis were observed.
Results:
Anti-infective treatment with topical 0.5% moxifloxacin prevented the development of endophthalmitis (0/9 rabbits), compared to topical saline (6/10 rabbits; P = 0.01; power = 0.99).
Conclusions:
Topical 0.5% moxifloxacin provided effective prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis after an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone. This unique model may prove valuable to demonstrate prophylaxis for other anti-infectives at an intravitreal injection site.
Insights
Topical 0.5% moxifloxacin effectively prevented endophthalmitis in a rabbit model after intravitreal injections. This study highlights moxifloxacin as a potential prophylactic agent for preventing post-injection eye infections.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Disease
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intravitreal injections for retinal diseases carry a risk of endophthalmitis.
- A novel rabbit model was developed to assess prophylactic treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of topical 0.5% moxifloxacin in preventing endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection.
- To validate a new rabbit model for studying endophthalmitis prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- A rabbit model was created by injecting triamcinolone through a Staphylococcus aureus depot.
- Animals received topical 0.5% moxifloxacin or saline post-challenge and pre-injection.
- Endophthalmitis incidence was evaluated clinically and via culture.
Main Results:
- Topical 0.5% moxifloxacin significantly reduced endophthalmitis development (0/9 rabbits).
- The control group receiving saline showed a high incidence of endophthalmitis (6/10 rabbits).
- The difference between groups was statistically significant (P = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Topical 0.5% moxifloxacin serves as an effective prophylactic measure against endophthalmitis post-intravitreal triamcinolone injection.
- The developed rabbit model is a valuable tool for evaluating anti-infective prophylaxis at intravitreal injection sites.
