Posters

Efficacy of novel cell penetrating peptide conjugated natamycin in experimental animal model of fusarium spp. keratitis

Poster Details

First Author: S.Shah INDIA

Co Author(s):    A. Chugh   H. Rohira   S. Shankar              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the antifungal efficacy of a novel conjugate,Cell Penetrating Peptide (CPP) -Natamycin in an experimental animal model of Fusarium spp. keratitis.

Setting:

This is a collaborative study between Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and Dr Dr CMS Trust – Netra Mandir, Mumbai, India

Methods:

Experimental Fusarium spp. keratitis was established in the right eye of 6-8 weeks old female Balb/c mice. Slit lamp grading of keratitis was done (Day 0). The study animals were divided into three groups, each receiving hourly topical instillation from 7am – 11pm of the CPP-Natamycin conjugate (Group 1), 5% Natamycin (Group 2) and Phosphate buffer saline (Group 3) for three days (Day 1-3). Slit lamp grading of keratitis was done (Day 4).The animals were sacrificed and the right eye was enucleated and evaluated for colony forming units (CFU)/ml using micro broth dilution technique.

Results:

Outcome measure – 1. Clinical resolution of keratitis. 2. CFU/ml of Fusarium spp. from enucleated eyes. Five animals were included in each group. Resolution of keratitis was better in Group 1 as compared to Group 2. CFU/ml was comparable between Group 1 and Group 2. Group 3 demonstrated the highest CFU/ml.

Conclusions:

Compared to Natamycin alone, which is currently the drug of choice in Fusarium spp. keratitis, the novel conjugate CPP – Natamycin demonstrated comparable antifungal efficacy.

Financial Disclosure:

None