We propose to evaluate which topical agent, voriconazole or natamycin, is the superior treatment for fungal keratitis in a randomized, masked, controlled trial. Historically, fungal keratitis has been endemic in warm climates such as India and has been relatively uncommon in temperate regions of the United States. For example, in settings such as South India as many as 50% of infectious ulcers are fungal, while they made up about 8% of infectious ulcers seen at the Proctor Foundation at UCSF prior to 2005. However, in 2006, there was an epidemic of keratitis due to Fusarium spp in the U.S. and Asia, and there was heightened concern about how to best care for these patients. Although the peak of the epidemic has subsided, the concern over the best way to care for fungal keratitis patients remains. Fungal ulcers tend to have very poor outcomes with the commonly used treatments, natamycin and amphotericin B. There has been only a single randomized trial of anti-fungal therapy for mycotic keratitis, and no new ocular anti-fungal medications have been approved by the FDA since the 1960s. Our preliminary studies indicate that the newer triazoles are more effective than natamycin in vitro against filamentous fungi such as Fusarium and Aspergillus spp, the most common causes of fungal keratitis worldwide. We also found that although most cornea specialists indicate that voriconazole would be their preferred treatment, their actual practice often differs because of the lack of evidence supporting the newer anti-fungals. In this study, we will enroll patients with fungal ulcers at the Aravind Eye Hospital in South India and at the Proctor Foundation, UCSF. Research Question: Which topical agent, voriconazole or natamycin, is more effective in the treatment of filamentous fungal corneal ulcers? Specific Aims: 1) To determine which topical anti-fungal treatment, voriconazole or natamycin, results in better visual acuity. 2) To determine which agent, voriconazole or natamycin, results in better clinical outcomes for subgroups of organisms. 3) To determine whether there is a correlation between antifungal susceptibility and clinical outcomes in fungal keratitis. Fungal corneal ulcers are an important cause of blindness worldwide, especially in warmer climates such as in India. Currently, we do not have an evidence basis for their treatment and outcomes are poor. From in vitro studies and case reports, voriconazole may be a promising new treatment option, but there is not sufficient evidence to advocate its use over natamycin. This trial will aim to generate information to help physicians tailor their treatment of fungal ulcers in an evidence-based manner.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 20 publications
