Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
Published on: April 19, 2017
Rabbit Fungal Keratitis Model of Fusarium solani Tested Against Three Commercially Available Antifungal Drugs
Thet Tun Aung1, Wei Hong Jeff Chor, Myoe Naing Lynn
1Singapore Eye Research Institute (T.T.A., W.H.J.C., M.N.L., A.S.Y.C., R.W.B.), Singapore, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre (D.T.H.T., A.S.Y.C.,), Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School (A.S.Y.C., R.W.B.), SRP Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology (T.T.A.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; and Ophthalmology (R.W.B.), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
This study developed a rabbit model for Fusarium solani keratitis, a fungal eye infection. Voriconazole 1% demonstrated the best efficacy in reducing fungal load and wound size compared to NATACYN and amphotericin B.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Preclinical Research
Background:
- Fungal keratitis, particularly Fusarium solani infections, poses a significant threat to vision.
- Current treatment options require further evaluation for optimal clinical outcomes.
- A reproducible preclinical model is essential for assessing antifungal efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable rabbit model for Fusarium solani keratitis.
- To compare the efficacy of available antifungals: NATACYN, voriconazole 1%, and amphotericin B 0.1%.
- To provide a platform for future testing of novel antifungal agents.
Main Methods:
- Developed a Fusarium solani keratitis model in New Zealand white rabbits using immunosuppression.
- Inoculated one eye with F. solani spores, with the contralateral eye serving as a control.
- Assessed infection progression via clinical signs, histopathology, and fungal cultures.
- Administered topical antifungals (NATACYN, voriconazole 1%, amphotericin B 0.1%) to treatment groups (n=4 per group) for 7 days.
- Evaluated treatment efficacy using slit-lamp examination, histopathology, and fungal cultures.
Main Results:
- Successfully developed a reproducible and progressive rabbit F. solani keratitis model.
- Voriconazole 1% and NATACYN significantly reduced fungal wound area (P=0.02 and 0.021, respectively).
- Voriconazole 1% and amphotericin B 0.1% showed significant reduction in viable fungal counts (P=0.004 and 0.01, respectively).
- Voriconazole 1% exhibited the greatest efficacy in reducing both wound size and fungal burden.
Conclusions:
- The developed rabbit fungal keratitis model is suitable for screening new and evaluating existing antifungals.
- Voriconazole 1% demonstrated superior efficacy compared to NATACYN and amphotericin B 0.1% in this preclinical model.
- This model can aid in improving clinical outcomes for fungal keratitis patients.
