Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Published on: February 6, 2021
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Intravitreal Anidulafungin, Voriconazole, and Amphotericin B in an Experimental
Ergenekon Karagoz1, Rustem Anil Ugan2, Eyup Duzgun3
1a Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology , GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey.
Purpose:
To compare the safety and efficacy of intravitreal anidulafungin injection with voriconazole and amphotericin B (Amp B) in an experimental Candida endophthalmitis (CE) model.
Methods:
Intravitreal 1 × 105 CFU/0.1 ml Candida albicans was injected into the right eyes of 24 New Zealand rabbits, which were divided into 4 groups. Voriconazole 50 μg/0.1 ml, Amp B 10 μg/0.1 ml, and Anidulafungin 50 μg/0.1 ml were injected by intravitreal injection 72 h after inoculation. The control group was injected with 0.1 ml 0.9% NaCl. Clinical scoring was performed by assessing the cornea, conjunctiva, iris, and vitreous on days 3 and 7 of therapy. At the end of the study, the right eyes of all rabbits were enucleated and histopathological evaluation was performed. Therapy groups were compared according to the clinical, histopathological, and microbiological analysis scores.
Results:
Total clinical scores were significantly different between treatment groups and the control group (p < 0.05). On day 7 of the therapy, clinical scores of the anidulafungin group were found to be significantly lower when compared with the other therapy groups, while a significant improvement was observed in the eyes of rabbits in the anidulafungin group (p < 0.05). Also, microbiological scores of the anidulafungin group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Histopathological scores of the anidulafungin treatment group were significantly better than the voriconazole and control groups. Inflammation was evidently suppressed and marked retinal toxicity was not observed with anidulafungin.
Conclusions:
This is the first study comparing the efficacy of anidulafungin with other antifungal agents. In this CE model, an intravitreal single dose of anidulafungin was shown to be noninferior to voriconazole and Amp B. As an alternative to Amp B or voriconazole, intravitreal anidulafungin is suggested as an effective antifungal agent for the treatment of CE.
Insights
Intravitreal anidulafungin demonstrated efficacy comparable to voriconazole and amphotericin B in treating experimental Candida endophthalmitis. This study suggests anidulafungin as a safe and effective alternative for fungal eye infections.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Candida endophthalmitis (CE) is a serious intraocular infection requiring effective antifungal therapy.
- Intravitreal injections are a common route for delivering antifungal agents directly to the eye.
- Voriconazole and amphotericin B are established treatments, but alternatives are being explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the safety and efficacy of intravitreal anidulafungin with voriconazole and amphotericin B (Amp B) in a rabbit model of Candida endophthalmitis (CE).
Main Methods:
- A rabbit model of CE was established by intravitreal injection of Candida albicans.
- Rabbits were divided into four groups: treatment with anidulafungin, voriconazole, Amp B, or a saline control.
- Clinical, histopathological, and microbiological assessments were performed after 7 days of therapy.
Main Results:
- Anidulafungin treatment resulted in significantly lower clinical scores compared to other treatment groups by day 7.
- Histopathological scores for the anidulafungin group were significantly better than voriconazole and control groups, with reduced inflammation and no observed retinal toxicity.
- Microbiological scores in the anidulafungin group were lower than the control group, indicating antifungal activity.
Conclusions:
- Intravitreal anidulafungin was found to be non-inferior to voriconazole and Amp B in this CE model.
- Anidulafungin demonstrated significant clinical and histopathological improvements with suppressed inflammation and no retinal toxicity.
- Intravitreal anidulafungin is proposed as an effective alternative antifungal agent for treating Candida endophthalmitis.
