Multivalent antibody cocktail for bacterial endophthalmitis - Project Summary/Abstract Exogenous bacterial endophthalmitis can occur following ocular surgery, trauma, or ocular injections. The top causes are coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae or the closely related oral streptococci. Antibiotics are used to treat endophthalmitis; however, antibiotics are only able to kill the bacteria and do not prevent or reverse the resultant damage to the eye. Prior studies of passive immunization of rabbits with antisera against S. pneumoniae virulence factors demonstrated significant protection to the eye after bacterial challenge of the vitreous humor. Our central hypothesis is that prophylaxis and treatment with a multivalent antibody targeting the top 3 causes of bacterial endophthalmitis will aid in ameliorating ocular damage while used in conjunction with an effective antibiotic to kill the bacteria. We will test this hypothesis by combining 8 antibodies specific against virulence factors of S. epidermidis, S. aureus, and S. pneumoniae. The antibodies and their Fab fragments will be analyzed for specificity/affinity, safety, and neutralization of antigens in vitro, then the multivalent cocktail will be administered to rabbits in prophylaxis and therapy experiments of bacterial endophthalmitis. The goal of this study is to translate the knowledge gained thus far from prior research on ocular microbiology into a new drug that can be used in conjunction with antibiotics and that will combat damage and loss of retinal function.
