In Vitro Efficacy of Chlorhexidine and a riboflavin/UVA Combination on Fungal Agents of Keratitis.

Purpose: Mycotic keratitis is a global ophthalmological problem because it is difficult to diagnose and treat. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficiency of using antifungal agents amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole (VRC), 0.02% chlorhexidine (CHX), and a combination of riboflavin and UVA treatment against two fungal genera (Aspergillus and Fusarium) responsible for keratitis.Methods: We evaluated antifungal efficiencies of riboflavin/UVA and the antifungal drugs VRC, AMB, and CHX (alone and in combination) against fungal inocula at four concentrations. We recorded colony counts of isolates for Aspergillus terreus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Fusarium falciforme, F. proliferatum, and F. solani on Mueller-Hinton agar plates.Results: Fungal suspensions exposed to the following treatment combinations did not allow fungal growth: riboflavin/UVA and VRC, riboflavin/UVA and AMB, riboflavin/UVA and CHX, and CHX alone. We observed a statistically significant reduction (P < .05) in the number of colonies on agar plates when fungal suspensions were treated with riboflavin/UVA, VRC, and AMB only.Conclusions: Riboflavin/UVA treatment in combination with AMB, VRC, and CHX are capable of killing keratitis-inducing fungi (P < .05). The antiseptic CHX exerted a considerable antifungal effect on all strains we examined. Therefore, we recommend CHX as additional therapy against mycotic keratitis, particularly when keratitis is caused by multi-resistant members of Fusarium.

Paradoxical Worsening of Tubercular Serpiginous-Like Choroiditis after Initiation of Antitubercular Therapy.

In this study, a case with tubercular choroiditis showing severe macular edema and progression of choroidal lesions following initiation of antitubercular treatment is presented and the management of posterior uveitis associated with tuberculosis is evaluated. A 40-year-old female patient was admitted with decreased vision in her right eye and her fundoscopic examination revealed serpiginous choroiditis. It was learned from her medical history that she had taken antitubercular therapy 9 years ago. Mantoux tuberculin skin test showed an area of induration measuring 15 mm and a positive interferon-gamma release assay was documented. Additionally, sequelae lesions due to previous tubercular infection were remarkable on her chest imaging. By excluding other causes of uveitis, the patient was considered presumed ocular tuberculosis and a full standard course of 4-drug antitubercular therapy was initiated. On the seventh day of the treatment existing choroidal lesions showed progression, new foci of choroiditis appeared and severe macular edema occurred. After adding systemic corticosteroid to the treatment, the macular edema resolved and choroidal lesions began to inactivate. In patients with tubercular choroiditis, continued progression may develop after initiation of antitubercular therapy. This paradoxical worsening is thought to be a hyperacute immunologic reaction occurring against antigen load released after antitubercular therapy. This phenomenon may be suppressed by the addition of systemic corticosteroids to the treatment.