Effects of topical and subconjunctival cidofovir (HPMPC) in an animal model

Purpose. To characterize the anterior segment effects of cidofovir, using an animal model.Methods. Cidofovir drops, at concentrations of 0.04%, 0.4% and 4%, were instilled in eyes of guinea pigs once daily for 10 days. Fellow eyes (controls) received normal saline. The corneal epithelium was debrided at day one and then at every other day for 10 days. Subconjunctival injections of 20 μl of 4% cidofovir were given in another group of animals. A micro-manometer was used to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP). Eyes were studied histopathologically at the conclusion of the study.Results. There was no significant drop in IOP after 10 days, using the 0.04% concentration of cidofovir drops. Histology revealed mild corneal edema and inflammatory infiltrate; iris, ciliary body and retina were normal. There was a statistically significant drop in IOP in the eyes treated with 0.4% and 4.0% cidofovir eye drops at 10 days (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to baseline. Morphological changes include...