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Project Description

Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Bacterial Keratitis (BK)

Bacterial keratitis (BK) refers to an aggressive infection of the eye that involves inflammatory changes in the cornea, which is the front transparent part of the eye. Protheragen offers comprehensive services for developing diagnostics and therapeutics for bacterial keratitis. Our expertise spans the entire spectrum of BK research, from basic pathogenesis studies to advanced preclinical studies.

Introduction to Bacterial Keratitis (BK)

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is an advanced infection of the eye that mainly targets the cornea and can cause serious damage to vision within a short period of time if not dealt with promptly. This problem can lead to the inflammation of the eye, forming an ulcer or hole, which can make one blind. Some of the common strains of bacteria responsible for BK are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, these can infect the corneas when there is an opening in the epithelial cells. The cause of BK is associated primarily with the attack of microorganisms and the response of the body pertaining to injury-induced inflammation, which results in the destruction of tissues.

Summary of corrected-distance-visual-acuity (CDVA) of patients with bacterial keratitis at initial presentation and at final follow-up.

Fig. 1 Visual outcome of bacterial keratitis in Nottingham UK. (Ting D. S. J., et al., 2021)

Diagnostics Development for Bacterial Keratitis (BK)

Microbiological Culture
Microbiological culture still forms the basis of BK diagnostics. Corneal scraping samples are collected and cultured on different forms of media, for example, blood and chocolate agar, to isolate and distinguish the causative microorganisms. This step is critical in determining the bacterial strains' specificity, their antibiotic resistance levels, and guiding therapeutics.
Molecular Diagnostics
The introduction of BK molecular diagnostics, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS), has completely transformed the field. These techniques permit direct detection of bacterial DNA from corneal samples with unmatched sensitivity and specificity. PCR enables swift pathogen identification even in low-bacterial-load specimens; NGS, on the other hand, allows exhaustive characterization of the microbial profile and identifies antibiotic resistance genes.

Gram Staining
Gram staining enables easy categorization of bacteria into gram-positive and gram-negative types. Researchers differentiate values by claiming that they can stain bacterial scrapings from corneas and identify the type of bacteria for them to start treating the infection, even before culture reports are confirmed.
In Vivo Confocal Microscopy
In vivo confocal microscopy refers to an imaging method allowing for non-invasive, real-time viewing of the corneal tissue. This procedure is capable of identifying bacterial pathogens, fungal elements, and other infectious organisms within the cornea itself, which aids significantly in formulating appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, it is highly beneficial in situations when culture methods do not furnish the correct identity of the pathogen.

Therapeutics Development for Bacterial Keratitis (BK)

Topical Antibiotics

Topical antibiotics, including cephalosporins like ceftazidime and aminoglycosides such as tobramycin, are the working conventional therapeutics for BK as well all other forms of BK. Tobramycin and moxifloxacin, both fluoroquinolones, are often used in the therapeutics. Therapeutic concentrations to fight the infection are helpful in these medications when they are placed in the eye.

Fortified Antibiotics

In exceptional instances, such as when conventional antibiotics do not work, fortified antibiotics are used. These antibiotics, usually made in hospital pharmacy units, are in higher concentrations to provide more potent therapeutics. Often, fortified tobramycin and ceftazidime are used in combination to target resistant bacteria such as multi drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Our Services

Protheragen recognizes that every client suffers from distinctive problems. Our bespoke services aim to address the most specific issues within the development of BK therapeutics and diagnostics.

Diagnostics Development

Therapeutic Development

Disease Models

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Mouse Models
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Rabbit Models
Staphylococcus aureus Keratitis Guinea Pig Models

Utilizing advanced animal models, Protheragen simulates human BK to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of novel drugs. Our preclinical services also include the development and validation of rapid diagnostic tests, ensuring accurate and timely identification of pathogens. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Ting, Darren Shu Jeng, et al. "Risk factors, clinical outcomes, and prognostic factors of bacterial keratitis: the Nottingham Infectious Keratitis Study." Frontiers in Medicine 8 (2021): 715118.
Egrilmez, Sait, and Şeyda Yildirim-Theveny. "Treatment-resistant bacterial keratitis: challenges and solutions." Clinical Ophthalmology (2020): 287-297.