Therapeutic Effect of Intracorneal Injection of Immunoglobulins on Corneal Ulcers in Horses Experimentally Infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The therapeutic effect on corneal ulcer due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was compared between intracorneal injection of immunoglobulins and pharmaco therapy. The immunoglobulins used were obtained from horses vaccinated with OEP and protease-, elastase- and exotoxin- toxoids. They had high titers; that is, 1:4, 094 against OEP 1:512 against protease- and elastase-PHA, and 1:360 against exotoxin-PHA. After confirmation of corneal ulceration by inoculation into the incised cornea, pharmaco therapy mainly with antibiotics was employed in one case, but in vain. Combined treatment by intracorneal injection of the immunoglobulins and with antibiotics was used in two cases of corneal ulceration with significant therapeutic effects. Usually, no treatment is successful after onset of ulceration. Combined therapy by intracorneal injection of immunoglobulins and with antibiotics, however, produced synergistic effects. Treatment after the onset of corneal ulceration is close to the condition seen in clinical cases. It is assumed that injection of immunoglobulins may possibly have a therapeutic effect on clinical cases.