Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of VigamoxTM (moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.3%) and ZymarTM (gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5%) against the yeast Candida albicans and the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Methods:Candida albicans was grown at 35° C for 48 hours on GYEP agar. Colonies were placed in sterile water, counted with a hemocytometer and the concentration was adjusted to 5X105/µL. Aspergillus fumigatus was grown at 35°C for 48 hours on Sabouraud dextrose agar, placed in sterile water, counted with a hemocytometer and the concentration was adjusted to 5X105/µL. Commercially available bottles of VigamoxTM and ZymarTM were obtained. 5X105/µL was inoculated into each mL of solution. Original bottles were stored at room temperature. Ten minutes, 1, 2, and 4 weeks after inoculation, a drop from each bottle was placed into a sterile tube, 3 µL was placed into 4 mL of soft agar, plated on LB agar and placed in a 37°C incubator. Results were read at 48 hours. Results:After 10 minutes of exposure to VigamoxTM and ZymarTM, both Candida and Aspergillus isolates grew. At 1 week of exposure, no Candida or Aspergillus isolates grew. After 2 weeks of exposure, Candida isolates grew in the VigamoxTM bottles. No Candida isolates grew in the ZymarTM bottle. After 4 weeks of exposure, both Aspergillus and Candida isolates were grown from the VigamoxTM bottles, but no isolates were isolated from the ZymarTM bottles. Conclusions:ZymarTM which is preserved with 0.005% benzalkonium chloride (BAK) appears to effectively kill both Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. VigamoxTM, which was approved by the FDA for multi–use without additional preservative, appears to be less effective at killing both Candida and Aspergillus when the isolates are inoculated in the bottle and kept at room temperature for a period of one month.
Keywords: drug toxicity/drug effects • fungal disease • clinical laboratory testing