Purpose: In the present study, antifungal activity of ozonated olive oil (OZO) and ozonated distilled water (ODW) in the treatment of experimentally induced keratitis with C. albicans in rabbits were investigated.
Methods: The Groups were composed of as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (n = 5 rabbits, 10 eyes/in each group) and Group 6 (n = 10 rabbits, 20 eyes/in the group). Fourty-eight hours after C. albicans inoculation; Group 1 received fluconazle (FLU)+OZO drops, Group 2 received FLU drop, Group 3 received OZO drop, Group 4 received FLU+ODW drops, Group 5 received ODW drop, Group 6 (infected control group) and Group 7 received PBS drop (negative control group). Treatment continued in all groups for 22 days for every 8 hours.
Results: Cornea cultures made 24 days post inoculation revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0,05) with concern to C. albicans amounts between Group 6 and Group 1-5. Statistical comparison of corneal opacity and corneal ulcer and conjunctivitis values among the Group 6 and Group 1-5 were also different significantly (p < 0,05) on days 20 and 24 post inoculation.
Conclusion: OZO and ODW were found to be effective in treating C. albicans keratitis in the present study. It has also been proven by this study that ODW contain 26 μg/ml was the most effective in the treatment of C. albicans keratitis.
Keywords: Candida albicans; Experimental keratitis; Fungal keratitis; Keratitis; Ozonated distilled water; Ozonated olive oil; Ozone.