Target specificity of the new fluoroquinolone besifloxacin in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Objectives: Besifloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone in development for ocular use. We investigated its mode of action and resistance in two major ocular pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, and in the reference species Escherichia coli.

Methods: Primary and secondary targets of besifloxacin were evaluated by: (i) mutant selection experiments; (ii) MIC testing of defined topoisomerase mutants; and (iii) inhibition and cleavable complex assays with purified S.

Nonclinical safety and pharmacokinetics of intravitreally administered human-derived plasmin in rabbits and minipigs.

The use of plasmin for pharmacologic vitreolysis and the creation of a posterior vitreous detachment offers several potential advantages over surgery. The nonclinical pharmacokinetics and safety of human-derived plasmin was evaluated following single or multiple intravitreal injections to rabbits and minipigs. Single intravitreal injections of plasmin at 45-900 microg resulted in a no adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 45 microg in both species; effects at higher doses included chemosis, mucopurulent discharge, mononuclear cell infiltrates in the iris-ciliary body, and reversible changes in electroretinogram waveforms and parameters.

Rabbit models of contact lens--associated corneal hypoxia: a review of the literature.

Purpose: To provide a review of the literature on rabbit models of contact lens-associated corneal hypoxia.

Methods: The literature was searched for articles describing corneal hypoxia in the rabbit coincident with contact lens wear. The articles were identified by key word searches for rabbit models, contact lens, hypoxia, and cornea.

Use of a human corneal epithelial cell line for screening the safety of contact lens care solutions in vitro.

Purpose: Sodium fluorescein permeability assay, alamarBlue assay, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to study the effects of various contact lens disinfecting multipurpose solutions (MPS) on the integrity of the ocular surface epithelium by using corneal epithelial cells.

Methods: The sodium fluorescein permeability and alamarBlue activity of monolayer cultures of human corneal epithelial cells were compared after exposure to ReNu MultiPlus, OPTI-FREE Express, AQuify 5 Minute, SOLO-care Plus With Aqualube, and Complete Moisture Plus contact lens care solutions for 15 minutes. Additional cell monolayers were prepared for each treatment and were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope after a 10-minute exposure.

Biocompatibility of contact lens solutions using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the in vitro bovine cornea.

Purpose: This study used high-resolution research confocal laser scanning microscopy to study the epithelium of fresh bovine corneas treated with two contact lens solutions.

Methods: Fresh bovine corneal buttons were stained with a combination of the cell-permeable mitochondrial- and nuclear-specific dyes rhodamine 123 and Hoechst 33342 or acridine orange and imaged with a confocal laser scanning microscope. High-resolution X,Y images of the corneal epithelium were taken with a Zeiss 510 confocal laser scanning microscope at a 0.

Nonclinical pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and safety of BOL-303224-A, a novel fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent for topical ophthalmic use.

BOL-303224-A is a novel fluoroquinolone that has never been used systemically and that possesses structural modifications intended to improve its potency compared to other fluoroquinolones. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the nonclinical pharmacokinetics, safety, and pharmacodynamics of BOL-303224-A. BOL-303224-A displayed activity in in vitro antimicrobial efficacy studies and also demonstrated efficacy in an in vivo murine infection model.

Ocular pharmacokinetics of fluocinolone acetonide after Retisert intravitreal implantation in rabbits over a 1-year period.

Purpose: The present study was designed to examine the pharmacokinetics of a fluocinolone acetonide (FA) intravitreal implant in pigmented rabbits.

Methods: Pigmented rabbits were randomly assigned to receive either a 0.5 mg or 2.