Author/Authors :
Jahadi Hosseini, H.R Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Ghaemi, Z Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Alborzi, A Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Panjeshahin, MR Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Roozitalab, MH Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Katbab, A Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Khoshniat, H Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Movahhedan, H Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Nejabat, M Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Salouti, R Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Oboodi, B Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz
Abstract :
Background: Fungal corneal ulcer is the most dangerous and challenging
type of infective keratitis. Since most of the ophthalmic antifungal
drops are scarce and expensive in developing countries, attempts have
been made to study fungicidal property of some readily available antiseptic
agents as a substitute. Povidone iodine (PI) and chlorhexidine
gluconate (CHx) has been postulated to be effective against fungi.
Objective: To study in vitro antifungal efficacy of PI and CHx.
Methods: Fungi isolated from cases of keratomycosis were entered in a
prospective study from June 2001 to March 2002. In vitro susceptibility
of these fungi was tested by broth dilution method of NCCLS Standard
to PI (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%) and CHx (0.04%, 0.1%, 0.2%) after 5 minutes,
1 hr, 24 hrs and 48 hrs exposure times.
Results: From a total of 16 culture-proven cases of fungal keratitis, the
isolated fungi were 8 Aspergillus sp, 3 Fusarium sp, 2 sterile hyphae, 1
Candida sp, 1 Drechslera sp, 1 Rhodotorula sp. PI showed 100% fungicidal
effect with all tested concentrations, after 5 minutes of exposure to
all fungal species.
CHx. 0.1% and 0.2% after ³1 hr exposure were as effective as PI
(p>0.34). The fungicidal efficacy of CHx 0.1% and 0.2% was significantly
less than PI after 5 minutes (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Both PI and CHx have strong in vitro fungicidal effect.
The kill rate of CHx, however, is less than PI. Since in vitro efficacy of
topical ophthalmic preparations is affected bymultiple factors, our study
provides a good idea for further in vivo investigations about this subject.
Keywords :
Fungal keratitis , keratomycosis , chlorhexidine , povidone iodine , fungal susceptibility test
