The Effect of a Cationic Peptide on the Treatment of Experimental Infectious Keratitis

Purpose: Bacterial keratitis is an ocular infection with the potential to cause significant visual impairment. Exploring of new antimicrobial agents for treatment of antibiotic resistance keratitis is essential. In this study we introduced a cationic peptide with antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus keratitis Methods: Safety of the cationic peptide was confirmed using the Draize scoring system previously. Efficacy of this peptide was evaluated by experimental infectious keratitis in rabbit eye. After stromal injection of S.areus, peptide was topically applied in test group and compared with other groups including PBS, Gentamicin and synergy (Gentamicin+peptide). After treatment the eye were clinically graded and cornea was harvested for pathology and colony counting. Results: Colony forming unit in the peptide treated group is significantly lower than Gentamicin and PBS-treated groups. (P<0.05). Pathology reports indicated that structure of cornea was normal after administration of peptide as antibacterial agent. Conclusion: This cationic peptide has significant potential for development as a new antibacterial agent for treatment of bacterial keratitis.