Intravenous effects of pimaricin on mycotic endophthalmitis

Rabbits weighing 2 to 3 kg with induced Candida endophthalmitis in the left eye were given 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg pimaricin intravenously. In the course of investigation, no significant level of pimaricin was found in the vitreous of those animals receiving 5 to 10 mg/kg pimaricin intravenously, and only 3 microgram/ml aqueous was found after chronic therapy for 1 to 3 weeks. No ocular or retinotoxicity was noted, although toxicity was inherent in the liver, kidney, and endocrine glands. From these studies, it is concluded that intravenous therapy alone is not sufficient for treatment of fungal endophthalmitis due to high toxicity and inadequate ocular drug levels.