May 2007
Volume 48, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2007
Characterization of Doxycycline Effects on the Ocular Surface of Patients Affected by Chronic Blefaritis
A. Iovieno; B. Stampachiacchiere; A. Micera; R. Sgrulletta; P. Lauretti; A. Lambiase; S. Bonini
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A. Iovieno
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
  • B. Stampachiacchiere
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
    IRCCS - G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, Italy
  • A. Micera
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
    IRCCS - G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, Italy
  • R. Sgrulletta
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
    IRCCS - G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, Italy
  • P. Lauretti
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
  • A. Lambiase
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
    IRCCS - G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, Italy
  • S. Bonini
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
    IRCCS - G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, Italy
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships A. Iovieno, None; B. Stampachiacchiere, None; A. Micera, None; R. Sgrulletta, None; P. Lauretti, None; A. Lambiase, None; S. Bonini, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support None.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2007, Vol.48, 367. doi:
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      A. Iovieno, B. Stampachiacchiere, A. Micera, R. Sgrulletta, P. Lauretti, A. Lambiase, S. Bonini; Characterization of Doxycycline Effects on the Ocular Surface of Patients Affected by Chronic Blefaritis. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007;48(13):367.

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Abstract

Purpose:: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of systemic doxycycline treatment on signs, symptoms, conjunctival cytology, and conjunctival ICAM-1 expression of patients affected by chronic blepharitis.

Methods:: 8 patients with chronic blepharitis (6 M/2 F; mean age 45.7 ± 17.5; ranging 25-69) were included in the study. Doxycycline was administrated orally, twice a day, for 2 weeks and once a day for additional 2 weeks. Clinical signs (conjunctival hyperemia, secretion, marginal blepharitis, meibomianitis, superficial punctuate keratopathy) and symptoms (itching, foreign body sensation, dryness, burning, tearing) were evaluated and scored (0-3) at baseline and after 4 weeks. The total sign (TSS) and the total symptom (TSyS) scores were calculated and statistically analysed according to non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed at baseline and after 4 weeks of doxycycline treatment in 3 patients (3 M; mean age 46 ± 20.6; ranging 29-69). Cell number and morphology were evaluated by PAS staining while ICAM-1 expression was detected by real-time PCR on impression cytology.

Results:: When compared to baseline, an improvement of total symptoms (TSyS baseline 4.5 ± 2.2 vs. 4 weeks 2.7 ± 1.5; p<0.05) and signs (TSS: baseline 6.6 ± 1.3 vs. 4 weeks 3.1 ± 1.9; p<0.001) was observed after 4 weeks of treatment. In particular, conjunctival hyperemia, marginal blepharitis and superficial punctuate keratopathy were significantly ameliorated (p<0.05). Qualitative (size and morphology) but not quantitative (number) changes of goblet cells was associated to clinical improvement. Real-time PCR analysis revealed a down-regulation of ICAM-1 mRNA.

Conclusions:: The study shows that 4 weeks-treatment with doxycycline significantly improved symptoms and signs in patients with chronic blepharitis in association with a decrease of the ICAM-1 inflammatory marker. The fact that goblet cells appeared significantly changed in both size and metachromatic features might suggest a possible effect of doxycycline on goblet cells function and mucin secretion.

Keywords: conjunctiva • antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials 
© 2007, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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