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Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in leukopenic rabbits
J A Hobden1, L S Engel, M C Callegan
1Lions Eye Research Laboratories, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112.
Current Eye Research
|May 1, 1993
Summary
The host inflammatory response significantly worsens eye damage in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. However, this inflammation does not affect bacterial survival in the cornea during infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of bacterial keratitis.
- The role of the host inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa keratitis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of the host inflammatory response to ocular pathology in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits were rendered leukopenic using cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone.
- Keratitis was induced by intrastromal injection of P. aeruginosa strain 27853.
- Ocular pathology was assessed via slit lamp examination, and bacterial counts were determined from corneal cultures.
Main Results:
- Leukopenic rabbits exhibited significantly reduced ocular pathology compared to non-leukopenic controls.
- No significant difference was observed in the number of viable bacteria recovered from the corneas of leukopenic and non-leukopenic rabbits.
- The host inflammatory response was found to significantly contribute to ocular pathology but not bacterial survival.
Conclusions:
- The host inflammatory response plays a critical role in the development of ocular pathology during P. aeruginosa keratitis.
- While inflammation exacerbates tissue damage, it does not impact the viability of P. aeruginosa in the cornea at the peak of infection.