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Antifungal Efficacy and Safety of Cycloheximide as a Supplement in Optisol-GS
Melissa Dal Pizzol1,2, Eduarda Correa Freitas2, Claudete Locatelli2
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Cirúrgicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Purpose:
The incidence of fungal infection after corneal transplant has increased significantly in recent years, especially Candida spp. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the addition of cycloheximide in Optisol-GS media in decreasing the growth of Candida spp. strains.
Methods:
This in vitro laboratory efficacy study measured fungal colony growth in 24 vials of Optisol-GS that were divided into 6 groups of 4 vials each, as follows: (1) MIC/2 cycloheximide, (2) MIC cycloheximide, (3) MICx5 cycloheximide, (4) MICx10 cycloheximide, from MIC values obtained for each strain, (5) unsupplemented optisol-GS as a positive control (added inoculum), and (6) unsupplemented optisol-GS as a negative control (no inoculum). In each group was added Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis, except in the negative control. The evaluated variables were fungal colony growth from the Optisol-GS vials, corneal endothelial cell density and endothelial cell viability at different concentrations of cycloheximide.
Results:
In the efficacy study, all strains showed a reduction in fungal cell growth from the second day at all evaluated concentrations of optisol-GS supplemented with cycloheximide, even at subinhibitory concentrations (MIC/2). For C. glabrata, the colony count was reduced to 99%. No evidence of corneal endothelial toxicity was found at any concentration, in the safety study, compared with the paired control.
Conclusion:
The addition of cycloheximide to optisol-GS decreased the fungal growth, demonstrating fungicide action against C. glabrata and fungistatic action against C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. This drug did not demonstrate toxicity to the corneal endothelium at different concentrations.
Insights
Adding cycloheximide to Optisol-GS media effectively reduced Candida fungal growth in corneal transplants. This antifungal treatment showed no toxicity to corneal endothelial cells, offering a promising safety profile.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Fungal infections post-corneal transplant are increasing, particularly with Candida species.
- Optisol-GS is a common storage medium for corneal tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of adding cycloheximide to Optisol-GS for inhibiting Candida spp. growth.
- To evaluate the safety of cycloheximide-supplemented Optisol-GS on corneal endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- An in vitro study using 24 Optisol-GS vials with varying cycloheximide concentrations (MIC/2 to MICx10).
- Inoculation with Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis strains.
- Measurement of fungal colony growth, corneal endothelial cell density, and viability.
Main Results:
- Cycloheximide significantly reduced fungal cell growth across all tested concentrations, including subinhibitory levels.
- Candida glabrata colony count decreased by 99%.
- No corneal endothelial toxicity was observed at any cycloheximide concentration.
Conclusions:
- Cycloheximide demonstrates fungicide activity against C. glabrata and fungistatic activity against C. albicans and C. parapsilosis in Optisol-GS.
- The addition of cycloheximide to Optisol-GS is safe for corneal endothelium.
