Abstract
Purpose. The management of corneal transplants following mycotic keratitis often poses a therapeutic dilemma. Clinicians are hesitant to use topical steroids because of its potential enhancement of fungal growth. This study seeks to evaluate the in vitro effects of methylprednisolone and cyclosporine A on the growth of various molds that are commonly responsible for keratomycoses. Methods. Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Aspergillus fumigatus were grown in the presence of varying concentrations of methylprednisolone, cyclosporine A, and controls. Fungal growth was evaluated based on the number of colonies and their morphologies. Results. All tested concentrations of cyclosporine A (1%, 2%, 4%) had a statistically significant suppressive effect on the growth of Fusarium oxysporum (p<0. 001) and Fusarium solani (p<0. 001) compared with methylprednisolone and controls. In the case of Aspergillus fomigatus, cyclosporine A appeared to decrease the colony size. Conclusions. Cyclosporine A appears to have an inhibitory effect on fungal growth in vitro. Cyclosporine A may be an important alternative to topical steroids for management of comeal transplants following mycotic keratitis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S430 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Dec 1 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience