Comparison of the Effect of Different Treatment Doses of Intrastromal Vancomycin in a Rabbit Model of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Keratitis.

PURPOSE

To compare the effect of different doses of vancomycin on a rabbit model of MRSA keratitis.

METHODS

Twenty-four eyes of 24 New-Zealand White rabbits were included in the study. MRSA keratitis was applied to 24 left eyes of 24 New Zealand rabbits. Twenty-four hours after MRSA inoculation; 0.5 mg/0.1 mL, 1 mg/0.1 mL, and 2 mg/0.1 mL and balanced salt solution were administered to 6 rabbits in 4 groups, respectively.

RESULTS

The effect of different doses of vancomycin on reducing bacterial load was found to be statistically significant when each was compared to the control group ( = 0.006). When comparing the dosages with each other, no superiority was shown ( = 0.297,  = 0.749,  = 0.262 respectively). There was a significant increase in the posttreatment total clinical score in the control and 2 mg/0.1 mL groups compared to the pretreatment score ( = 0.001,  = 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

It is emphasized that necessary treatment can be achieved by administering less antibiotic (0.5 mg/0.1 mL) to the corneal intrastromal area.