gramicidin-a and Blepharitis

A safety and efficacy study comparing the clinical and bacteriologic effectiveness of trimethoprim-sulfacetamide-polymyxin B-neomycin-gramicidin in a group of patients with surface ocular bacterial infections was conducted. The results demonstrated TSP to be as effective as the other solution (both clinically and bacteriologically), with fewer adverse experiences. A second study was conducted comparing TSP with trimethoprim-polymyxin B (TP) and found TP to be superior to TSP in effecting bacteriologic cures. Clinical response was similar in both groups, and the low incidence of mild adverse experiences was approximately the same. It appears that the combination of trimethoprim with polymyxin B is safe and highly efficacious, both clinically and microbiologically, for the treatment of surface ocular bacterial infections.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacterial Infections; Blepharitis; Child; Conjunctivitis, Bacterial; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Eyelid Diseases; Female; Gramicidin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neomycin; Ophthalmic Solutions; Polymyxin B; Polymyxins; Sulfacetamide; Trimethoprim

We studied trimethoprim in combination with sulfacetamide and polymyxin B and also in combination with polymyxin B alone (without the sulfacetamide) to determine the efficacy and safety of these new antibiotic combinations in the eyes of patients with bacterial conjunctivitis or blepharitis. Patients were selected for the study if they showed at least three of the following criteria: (1) symptoms of a surface ocular infection; (2) a purulent discharge; (3) a polymorphonuclear neutrophilic response on Giemsa stain; (4) a history of recent exposure to an infected individual; (5) a history of an inadequately treated surface bacterial infection. Trimethoprim-sulfacetamide-polymyxin B and polymyxin B-neomycin-gramicidin (Neosporin, the control) eliminated bacteria from the eyes of patients with conjunctivitis or blepharitis with equal effectiveness. There was no loss of effectiveness when trimethoprim-polymyxin B was compared with trimethoprim-sulfacetamide-polymyxin B, suggesting that the sulfacetamide was not a necessary component. The combination antibiotic containing trimethoprim and polymyxin B appears to be an effective topical antibiotic solution for the treatment of ocular surface infections.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Blepharitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Trials as Topic; Conjunctivitis; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Eyelid Diseases; Gramicidin; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Neomycin; Ophthalmic Solutions; Polymyxin B; Polymyxins; Sulfacetamide; Trimethoprim

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacitracin; Blepharitis; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Drug Combinations; Drug Hypersensitivity; Gramicidin; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction; Male; Middle Aged; Nasolacrimal Duct; Neomycin; Ointments; Ophthalmic Solutions; Polymyxin B; Polymyxins; Rhinitis