2002 Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group, Abstract 8

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Prophylaxis of Streptococcus Pneumoniae keratitis with Gatifloxacin in a Rabbit LASIK Model
Robert S. Donnenfeld,¹ Jonathan J. Stein, MD,¹ Harold G. Jensen, PhD,² Henry D.Perry, MD,¹ Renee Solomon, MD,¹ Robert Snyder, MD,³ John Wittpenn, MD^1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, ²Allergan Pharmaceutical, Irvine, CA, ³University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of Gatifloxacin as compared to Ciprofloxacin in preventing Streptococcus pneumoniae keratitis in a rabbit LASIK model.

Methods: Twelve Albino rabbits had bilateral lamellar flaps created. Group A (8 eyes) was given Gatifloxacin 0.3%, Group B (8 eyes) was given Ciprofloxacin 0.3% and Group C (8 eyes) served as the control. Group A and B received one drop of antibiotic 20 minutes prior to the lamellar flap, at the conclusion of flap formation, and qid for three days. All corneas were inoculated with 0.1cc of 4 x 105 organisms/mL of Streptococcus pneumoniae immediately following flap formation. On day 3 all corneas were evaluated and cultured.

Results: Group A (Gatifloxacin) had no infiltrates and 3 areas of 1 mm central corneal haze. On day 3 one of eight rabbits had positive cultures. Group B (Ciprofloxacin) had 7 infiltrates including one perforation and 6 of 8 had positive cultures. Group C had 8 comeal infiltrates and all 8 had positive cultures.

Conclusion: Gatifloxacin 0.3% is superior to Ciprofloxacin 0.3% for prophylaxis against Streptococcus pneumonaie in a rabbit LASIK model.

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