Effect Of Acyclovir On The IN Vitro Growth Of Fungus Causing Keratitis

Abstract

Purpose: : There is a significant association between gram-positive bacteria and filamentous fungi that cause keratitis and poly-infections are frequent in these patients¹. Patients often present an eye previously treated with different antibiotics, antifungals and/or antiviral. In the early stage of the disease, these treatments can change the course of the infection. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the effect of acyclovir (ACV) in bacterial and fungal coculture treated with antibiotics and antifungal drugs.

Methods: : Bacterial and fungal from patients with keratitis were isolated and identified. Cocultures were performed between Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus fumigatus with S. aureus or S. epidermidis and treated with gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin with amfotericin B, natamycin or itraconazole and ACV, at minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) determined for every microorganism studied.

Results: : Acyclovir decreased dramatically the growth of Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus fumigatus, this activity was affected by the association between Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus fumigatus with S aureus or S epidermidis as well as quinolone-antifungal combination except for the combination natamycin-quinolones.

Conclusions: : ACV interferes on growth of Fusarim oxyxporum and Aspergillus fumigatus. The antifungal activity of ACV is affected depending on the combination antifungal-quinolone and the bacterial species in the coculture.References. 1. Mejía-López, H et. al. ARVO Meeting fort Lauderdale,Florida, EUA; Abril-Mayo 2010.

Keywords: antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • bacterial disease • fungal disease