The use of the medicine Ophtalmoferon for the treatment of conjunctivitis in patients with HIV-infection and tuberculosis

Abstract

To assess the effectiveness of the medicine Ophtalmoferon (eye drops) in the treatment of conjunctivitis of mixed aetiology in patients with first-time tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, who have been treated at the Clinical Anti-tuberculosis Hospital No. 4. The study included 60 patients (42 men and 18 women with mean age of 41.48±1.34 years), who had consulted the ophthalmologist for conjunctivitis. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group - main one (n=32) - received complex local therapy with the medicine Ophtalmoferon; the second group (n=28) - control one - did not receive Ophtalmoferon as a part of complex local treatment. The treatment involved assessment of the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of the examined medicine. Patient examinations were conducted on the first visit, then on the third, fifth and seventh day of treatment. On the third day of treatment as compared to the baseline the burning sensation and pain in the eyes were less severe; in the main group that received the medicine Ophtalmoferon (group 1) the number of patients describing these symptoms as mild (1 point) were 15.6% (pain) and 18.8% (burning), respectively (W=2.15; p=0.03). Severe lacrimation (3 points) remained in 5 (15.6%) patients. On the fifth day there were no main group patients with severe (3 points) or moderate (2 points) lacrimation. On the seventh day complete resolution of subjective symptoms was noted in 71.9% (group 1) and 42.9% (group 2) of patients (χ2=1.39; p=0.238), respectively. There was no lacrimation in 71.9% (group 1) and 35.7% (group 2) of patients (χ2=2.36; p=0.125), no eye redness was noted in 78.1% (group 1) and 28.6% (group 2) of patients (χ2=4.51; p=0.034), respectively. The use of the combined medicine Ophtalmoferon in the complex local treatment of conjunctivitis of mixed aetiology in patients with tuberculosis and HIV infection helps to achieve a rapid relief of subjective and objective symptoms with good tolerability of the medicine.