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Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) in the treatment of experimental Fusarium keratomycosis
R G Fiscella1, M Moshifar, C R Messick
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612, USA.
Purpose:
We wanted to determine whether topical polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% was effective in the treatment of experimental Fusarium keratomycosis in rabbits.
Methods:
Fusarium solani keratomycosis was induced in the eyes of 12 New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were treated with PHMB 0.02% in one eye and placebo in the other eye for 6 days. The rabbits were evaluated in a masked fashion using a standardized system for clinical progression of the disease. Then the corneas were trephined and growth of F. solani in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) determined.
Results:
Clinical evaluation demonstrated no significant mean difference (p > 0.10) in clinical scores between treated and control eyes on day 6 (0.583 +/- 2.503). There was a significant mean CFU difference (p = 0.06) between treated eyes and control eyes (182.5 +/- 314.44). Seven of 12 eyes (58%) in the PHMB group exhibited no growth, whereas two of 12 (17%) eyes reported no growth in the control group. One of 12 eyes (8%) reported > 100 CFU in the PHMB group, whereas seven of 12 eyes (58%) reported > 100 CFU in the control group.
Conclusions:
PHMB 0.02% was effective in significantly reducing the fungal growth in our rabbit model of Fusarium keratomycosis. The future role of PHMB in the treatment of Fusarium keratitis needs to be further evaluated.
Insights
Topical polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% reduced fungal growth in a rabbit model of Fusarium keratitis. This study suggests PHMB
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungal keratitis, particularly Fusarium keratitis, poses a significant threat to vision.
- Current treatments for Fusarium keratitis can be limited, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of topical polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% in treating experimental Fusarium keratitis in a rabbit model.
- To compare PHMB treatment outcomes against a placebo control.
Main Methods:
- Fusarium solani keratitis was induced in 12 rabbits.
- One eye per rabbit was treated with PHMB 0.02%, while the contralateral eye received a placebo.
- Clinical disease progression was assessed in a masked fashion, and corneal fungal burden (CFU/ml) was quantified.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in clinical scores was observed between PHMB-treated and control eyes.
- A significant reduction in fungal growth (CFU/ml) was noted in PHMB-treated eyes compared to controls (p = 0.06).
- Fungal growth was eliminated in 58% of PHMB-treated eyes versus 17% of control eyes.
Conclusions:
- Topical PHMB 0.02% demonstrated effectiveness in reducing fungal load in a rabbit model of Fusarium keratitis.
- Further research is warranted to determine the clinical utility of PHMB for treating Fusarium keratitis in humans.