A 3-day regimen with azithromycin 1.5% eyedrops for the treatment of purulent bacterial conjunctivitis in children: efficacy on clinical signs and impact on the burden of illness

Efficacy of azithromycin 1% and 1.5% ophthalmic solutions compared to tobramycin 0.3% eye drops: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

Azithromycin 1% and 1.5% ophthalmic preparations are used widely in clinical practice for the treatment of signs and symptoms of eye diseases. The aim of this study was to render conclusive evidence by comparing the efficacy of azithromycin 1% and 1.5% over tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic solutions for the treatment of eye diseases in a short duration in terms of bacterial resolution, the cure rate, and resolving clinical sign and symptoms.

Methods:

Systematic searches were performed in the electronic database (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science) and other sources. Multicenter randomized controlled trial studies conducted in English were identified and screened. Analysis of individual studies was conducted using the OpenMeta-analyst and Review Manager Version 5.3 software.

Results:

Eleven studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. In clinical cure rate, azithromycin 1% and 1.5% eye drops were more effective than tobramycin 0.3% eye drops in short duration dosing (⩽5 days) with a twice-a-day regimen (relative risk = 1.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.008, 1.28), whereas on increased duration (>5 days), azithromycin is almost similarly as effective as tobramycin (relative risk = 1.007; 95% confidence interval: 0.96, 1.05). There was no significant difference in efficacy of bacterial resolution of azithromycin (1%, 1.5%) eye drops compared to tobramycin (0.3%) eye drops (relative risk = 0.99; 95% confidence interval: 0.96, 1.018). Azithromycin eye drops are effective in improving the signs and symptoms of eye disease.

Conclusion:

Azithromycin 1% or 1.5% is more effective in the clinical cure rate of eye disease than tobramycin 0.3% eye drops in ⩽5 days of treatment. It is also the best choice of treatment for improving the signs and symptoms of eye disease. So that we recommend clinicians to use azithromycin 1% or 1.5% eye drops.

Systematic Review Registration:

PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019139911

Besifloxacin Ophthalmic Suspension 0.6% Compared with Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution 0.3% for the Treatment of Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Neonates

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% compared with gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.3% in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in neonates.

Methods

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel group study. Subjects ≤31 days of age with severity grade ≥1 (scale 0–3) for both conjunctival discharge and conjunctival hyperemia were randomized to besifloxacin or gatifloxacin instilled three times daily for 7 days, and completed five study visits (three clinic visits and two phone calls). Primary endpoints included clinical resolution (absence of both conjunctival discharge and conjunctival hyperemia) at visit 5 (day 8 or 9) and ocular and non-ocular treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). Bacterial eradication was a secondary endpoint.

Results

Thirty-three subjects were included in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. All were aged <28 days, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 15.5 days (6.0), and 57.6% were female. Twenty-two subjects had culture-confirmed conjunctivitis in at least one eye (modified ITT [mITT] population), most often with Gram-positive bacteria. Visit 5 clinical resolution and bacterial eradication rates were comparable among besifloxacin- and gatifloxacin-treated study eyes (clinical resolution: 12/16 [75.0%] vs. 12/17 [70.6%] for the ITT population, and 11/13 [84.6%] vs. 7/9 [77.8%] for the mITT population; bacterial eradication: 12/13 [92.3%] vs. 8/9 [88.9%] for the mITT population, respectively). No AEs were reported in the besifloxacin treatment group, and AEs reported in the gatifloxacin group were considered not treatment-related.

Conclusions

In this small study in neonates, both besifloxacin and gatifloxacin appeared effective and safe in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Larger studies are warranted.