The concentration of ofloxacin released by contact lens made of biosynthetic cellulose membrane was evaluated for the treatment of experimental bacterial keratitis in dogs by intrastromal inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus. The biosynthetic contact lens impregnated with ofloxacin was compared with the conventional topical therapy. The microbiological evaluation and the determination of ofloxacin in aqueous humor were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). There was not statistical difference in the counting of bacterial colonies among the eyes with keratitis and other groups, on the first day of collection. The biomaterial, impregnated with ofloxacin, promoted gradual release during the evaluation period, at three and seven days; on the third day, the group treated with the contact lens obtained a median of 3.72μg/mL, while the group treated with eye drops resulted in 49.56μg/mL. Despite the lower value, the group with contact lens reached the minimum inhibitory concentration, which was effective in controlling the bacterial infection.
dog; bacterial keratitis; biosynthetic membrane; ofloxacin; HPLC
