RESUMO
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Terfezia claveryi crude extract on induced corneal ulcer in rabbit’s eye. Study Design: Study was carried out in Rabbits eye. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in the experimental laboratories at College of Applied Medical Sciences of Qassim University during the period from March to June 2013. Methodology: Crude aqueous extract of this truffle, in different concentrations, was introduced through intraperitoneal injection to rabbits for their safety dose. Corneal epithelial wound was induced in different groups of rabbit’s eye with sodium hydroxide and later this wound was contaminated with some selected bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherchia coli to produce iatrogenic infection. The healing power of different concentrations of T. claveryi crude extract was observed by different clinical findings. Results: We observed that 1.5% crude extract of this desert truffle significantly healed the corneal ulcer almost within 9 days. Delayed response in healing was observed with 3% T. claveryi, while 5% extract developed some extra corneal complications. The healing response of corneal ulcer to topical application of different concentrations of T. claveryi extract was compared with a synthetic antibiotic (Vigamox 0.5%) as a reference standard drug. Conclusion: It was concluded that aqueous extract of T. claveryi has no significant toxic effects against liver and kidney function parameters. The antibacterial activity of this desert truffle recommends as an alternative medicine for some corneal infections. However, the therapeutic role of some specific ingredients present in this truffle needs further investigations.
RESUMO
Aim: This work was aimed at studying the pathogenicity of bacteria causing infectious keratitis through experimental infection using different groups of rabbits that were inoculated with clinical isolates and assessed through biochemical and histopathological investigations. Study Design: This study was carried out on Rabbits. Place and Duration of the Study: this experiment was carried out at Med. Labs. Dept, Qassim Univ., in April 2013. Methodology: The isolated bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus from clinical corneal scraping swabs of patients suffering from infectious keratitis were experimentally inoculated through intraperitoneal injection in different groups of Original Research Article Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(26): 4470-4481, 2014 4471 rabbits (2.0-2.5kg) and were subjected to serum biochemical and histopathological examinations. Results: The experimental rabbits showed alterations in both liver and kidney function parameters that varied with the type of bacteria injected. The level of urea was nonsignificantly increased to a higher extent in rabbits within 3 and 7 days of infection. There was no marked change in the levels of uric acid and creatinine in all groups of rabbits. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed variable increased values but seemed also within limits of reference in all the groups of rabbits injected with either S. aureus or P. aeruginosa. Histopathologically, the internal organs (liver and kidneys) of the experimental rabbits showed inflammatory reactions with degenerative changes and/or necrosis while the cornea revealed oedema and leukocytic infiltration. The microscopic findings were varied in severity according to the type of the bacteria. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus experimentally induced infections revealed histopathologic lesions and disturbances in the functions of liver and kidneys of experimental rabbits together with proliferation of corneal epithelium and polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration in the corneal stroma. Therefore, strict measures are recommended to control and treat infectious keratitis to avoid visual complications and systemic disturbances among infected patients.