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Mycotic keratitis: susceptibility to antiseptic agents
M J Martin1, M R Rahman, G J Johnson
1International Centre for Eye Health, Institute of Ophthalmology, Bath St., London, UK.
International Ophthalmology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Oculomycosis treatment is challenging in developing nations. Chlorhexidine demonstrated efficacy against fungal keratitis in a pilot study, suggesting its potential as an accessible first-line antifungal agent.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Oculomycosis presents a significant health challenge, particularly in developing countries due to limited access and high costs of specific antifungal medications.
- Antiseptic agents offer a potential alternative for treating fungal eye infections when standard antifungals are unavailable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of antiseptic agents as alternatives for treating oculomycosis.
- To evaluate chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, propamidine, and polyhexamethylenebiguanide against fungal isolates and compare their effectiveness with econazole.
Main Methods:
- Fungal isolates from Indian and Ghanaian patients were tested against antiseptics and econazole using an in vitro agar diffusion method.
- A pilot clinical study in India assessed the efficacy of chlorhexidine and econazole in treating fungal corneal ulcers.
Main Results:
- In vitro, chlorhexidine exhibited a dose-dependent response, povidone iodine was effective at all concentrations, and econazole showed the highest efficacy.
- Clinically, both chlorhexidine and econazole were effective for fungal corneal ulcers, whereas povidone iodine was ineffective.
Conclusions:
- Chlorhexidine demonstrates promising efficacy for fungal keratitis, particularly in resource-limited settings.
- Chlorhexidine may serve as a valuable and accessible first-line treatment option for fungal keratitis when specific antifungals are not readily available.