Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare a bacterial susceptibility and corneal epithelial toxicity between levofloxacin 0.5% (Cravit®, Santen) and moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox®, Alcon) in human cultured corneal epithelial cells (HCEC).
Methods: :
We used bacteria of gram positive and negative ATCC strains and resistant strains. HCEC is incubated with each bacterial population for 1 hour and is exposed to antibioitics in 0.25% concentration for 1 hour. The colony forming units of viable bacteria per cornea was expressed as base 10 logarithms. To determine corneal epithelial toxicity, HCEC is exposed to each antibiotics for 24 hour and then viable epithelial cells are quantified by MTT assay. We also evaluated the effect on wound healing by migration assay.
Results: :
In bacterial susceptibility on antibiotics, Vigamox® was more effective for Serratia marcescens than Cravit® (p<0.05). For other bacteria, however, the difference between Vigamox® and Cravit® was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Otherwise, Vigamox® showed a more serious toxicity than Cravit® in cultured HCEC (p<0.05). Such as, HCEC viability for Vigamox® was 5%, that for Cravit® was 64%, and control was 100% in 0.125 % concentration. Wound healing as measured by migration assay demonstrated that Vigamox® was significantly lowered than Cravit®(p<0.05). Wound healing of Cravit® was 95% whereas Vigamox® was 60%.
Conclusions: :
The antibiotic effects of Viagmox® and Cravit® on most strains causing bacterial keratitis were not significantly different except some Gram negative bacteria like Serratia marcescens. In the other hand, Viagmox® seemed to be more toxic than Cravit® in corneal epithelial cells. Therefore, it would be recommendable to select proper topical antibiotics for keratitis depending on bacteria strain and the condition of the corneal surface.
Keywords: antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • cornea: epithelium • clinical laboratory testing