[Experimental herpes simplex keratitis in rabbits. Evaluation of pro-infectious effects of topical non-steroidal...

We tested 3 non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in experimental herpes keratitis in order to determine possible pro-infectious consequences. The drugs were Indomethacine, Flurbiprofen and a new non steroidal anti-inflammatory, CBS 113 A, mixed inhibitor of cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase. We studied simultaneously the evolution of the keratitis and viral excretion. We considered that an anti-inflammatory agent had a pro-infectious effect if the keratitis was more serious and/or viral excretion longer in comparison with placebo. We have shown, for the 3 drugs, in comparison with dexamethasone activity, absence of a pro-infectious effect. We compared our results on Flurpiprofen with an other study which gave this anti-inflammatory drug pro-infectious capacities; the concentration used was higher. CBS 113 A, inhibiting the metabolism of arachidonic acid via lipoxygenase and cycloxygenase and thus preventing the formation of metabolitis involved in inflammation (prostaglandins, leukotrienes,...), should have a spectrum of activity wider than that of NSAID. Subject to further studies, these 3 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory could be used in herpetic kerato-uveitis.