RESUMO
Local fungal infections with Candida, Fusarium, Curvularia and Aspergillus can lead to serious ulceration of the cornea and must be treated rapidly. The current treatment consists of 0.15% (w/v) amphotericin B eye drops prepared from Fungizone, containing deoxycholate, irritant for the cornea, which reduces patient compliance. Eye drops based on liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome would be a convenient alternative; however, according to the manufacturer's instructions, AmBisome can only be kept refrigerated for 1 week after reconstitution. A longer shelf-life at ambient temperature would be preferable for a preparation made in a hospital pharmacy and delivered to patients. Thus, the possibility of storing an ophthalmic preparation of 0.5% (w/v) liposomal amphotericin B after reconstitution was investigated. After 6 months at room temperature or at +2-8 degrees C, the hydrodynamic diameter measured by quasi-elastic light scattering remained constant at 108 +/- 30 nm with a polydispersity index lower than 0.15. Amphotericin B content, checked by a validated HPLC method, was maintained between 94 and 107%. Amphotericin B and soy phosphatidylcholine proportions remained constant, indicating that the liposomes remained intact and retained the drug. These results show the feasibility of an ophthalmic preparation based on liposomal amphotericin B developed in hospital pharmacies.
