Enoxacin therapy for experimental pseudomonas keratitis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Pseudomonas keratitis presents a significant treatment challenge.
• Current aminoglycoside therapies are often ineffective against resistant strains.
• Novel therapeutic agents are crucial for managing gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas ocular infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of enoxacin, a novel quinolone, in treating experimental Pseudomonas keratitis.
• To assess enoxacin's penetration into ocular tissues and fluids.
• To determine the potential of enoxacin as a treatment for resistant bacterial keratitis.

Main Methods:

• Experimental ulcerative keratitis was induced in rabbits using a gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate.
• Enoxacin eye drops were administered to assess efficacy and ocular penetration.
• Parenteral enoxacin supplementation was used to evaluate augmented therapeutic effects.

Main Results:

• Enoxacin eye drops successfully eradicated Pseudomonas infection from the cornea.
• Therapeutic concentrations of enoxacin were achieved in the aqueous humor.
• Parenteral enoxacin administration enhanced the therapeutic effect.
• Enoxacin demonstrated limited penetration into the vitreous humor.

Conclusions:

• Enoxacin shows significant promise for treating Pseudomonas keratitis, particularly resistant strains.
• Enoxacin eye drops are effective in clearing corneal infections and achieving therapeutic aqueous humor levels.
• Further clinical evaluation of enoxacin eye drops is warranted for Gram-negative bacillus keratitis.