Evaluation of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in nine horses.

The research study evaluates the effectiveness of using an ointment composed of itraconazole and dimethyl sulfoxide in treating keratomycosis, a fungal infection that affects the horse’s eye. The results demonstrate a high success rate, suggesting the ointment as a viable additional treatment option.

Research Objective

The main objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of an ointment made from itraconazole and dimethyl sulfoxide in treating keratomycosis – a fungal eye infection in horses. The study was based out of the northeastern United States and was conducted over two years from July 1994 to July 1996 at Cornell University.

Methodology

• The study was a prospective clinical trial that involved a total of nine horses, affecting ten eyes in total.
• The horses affected by keratomycosis were properly diagnosed through cytologic examination.
• All the horses in the study were treated with the developed ointment, which contained 1% itraconazole and 30% dimethyl sulfoxide mixed in petrolatum. Each affected eye received 0.25 ml of ointment every 4 hours.

Results of the Study

• The research reported positive results, with 8 out of the 10 affected eyes experiencing resolution of keratomycosis symptoms.
• The mean duration of treatment until resolution of symptoms was observed to be 34.6 days. However, the range for treatment length varied between 16 to 53 days, indicating that the severity of the infection and response to treatment may differ among individual cases.

Research Conclusion

Based on the high success rate of the treatment, the researchers concluded that the topical administration of the itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment could potentially represent an additional treatment option for horses affected with keratomycosis. It’s essential to note that this was a small sample size, and more extensive research is necessary to finalize the ointment’s effectiveness on a larger scale.