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05:57

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Published on: July 2, 2013

Effect of minimal antibiotic treatment on bacterial keratitis

E J Hodges1, M H Friedlaender, A Lee

  • 1Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco.

Cornea
|September 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Minimal antibiotic therapy for Pseudomonas keratitis in rabbits reduced bacterial recovery but did not fully eliminate bacteria. Some viable Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found even in culture-negative corneas after treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of bacterial keratitis.
  • Effective treatment of bacterial keratitis is crucial to prevent vision loss.
  • Minimal antibiotic therapy is being explored as a potential treatment strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of minimal antibiotic therapy in treating Pseudomonas keratitis in a rabbit model.
  • To assess the impact of tobramycin on bacterial load and viability in infected corneas.

Main Methods:

  • Bilateral corneal infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 12 rabbits.
  • Treatment with tobramycin or placebo drops initiated 24 and 48 hours post-infection.
  • Assessment of corneal appearance and bacterial recovery through cultures and tissue grinding.

Main Results:

  • Corneal infection appearance was similar between antibiotic and placebo groups at 24 and 48 hours.
  • Bacterial recovery was significantly reduced in eyes receiving minimal antibiotic therapy (p = 0.009).
  • Viable bacteria were recovered from 8 of 11 culture-negative antibiotic-treated corneas after tissue grinding.

Conclusions:

  • Minimal antibiotic therapy can significantly reduce bacterial recovery in Pseudomonas keratitis.
  • This therapy may not completely eradicate live Pseudomonas aeruginosa organisms.
  • Further research is needed to understand the implications of sub-sterilizing antibiotic concentrations.

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