Purpose:
The penetration of ophthalmic fluoroquinolones (FQ) into human aqueous humor, conjunctiva, and corneal stroma has been determined recently. These comparative tissue concentrations can be combined with the susceptibility of common pathogens in ocular infections to assess relative potency.
Methods:
Pharmacokinetic data following topical administration of several ophthalmic fluoroquinolones in human ocular tissues have been reported: 0.5% moxifloxacin, 0.3% gatifloxacin, and 0.5% levofloxacin. The FQ susceptibility of ocular pathogens was determined using standard broth dilution methods.
Results:
Comparative concentrations moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, or levofloxacin in the human conjunctiva, corneal stroma, and aqueous humor are listed below. The FQ MIC50s for major relevant species in the infected ocular tissues are presented. Whether or not the tissue concentration exceeds MIC by 10X or 4X (approximate values for MPC and MBC respectively) is indicated by Y (Yes) or N (No).
Conclusions:
Of the three topical FQ ophthalmic products, only moxifloxacin consistently produced tissue concentrations that were greater than 10X and 4X MIC for the major pathogens encountered in conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and endophthalmitis. 1Wagner et al. Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:1283–4; 2Kim, T et al. OMIG Abstract 2005. 3Kim, D et al. Ophthalmol 2005; 112:1992–1995.
Keywords: antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • conjunctivitis