Israeli Innovation in Medicine for Both Pets and Humans

What it is about

Researchers from the prestigious Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a pioneering antibiotic eyedrop treatment intended for dogs, which holds promising potential for human medical applications too. This cutting-edge innovation could revolutionize treatment for bacterial eye infections while also addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance.

Why it matters

The breakthrough involves utilizing cross-linked hyaluronic acid (XHA) as a carrier for antibiotics such as cefazolin and chloramphenicol, compared to the traditional polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The use of XHA enhances the duration and effectiveness of the antibiotics on the eye’s surface — a crucial development that can improve treatment efficiency, lower dosing frequency, and increase patient compliance.

The Israeli Contribution

This pioneering research not only showcases Israeli academic prowess in medical innovations but also demonstrates how these solutions can provide significant benefits globally. With XHA’s additional antibacterial properties and healing benefits, this discovery further enhances tear quality and eye health.

Why dogs were chosen

Dogs served as excellent test subjects due to the similarities their eye structure and diseases share with humans, offering a more accurate preclinical model over other animals like rabbits and rodents. Such findings are crucial as they could pave the way for the application of XHA-based delivery in other medical arenas beyond antibiotics, including antivirals and antifungals.

This advancement illustrates Israel’s dedication to driving forward global medical solutions that not only improve veterinary care but also translate into wider human health benefits, leading the charge in tackling the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

This story was first published on jpost.com.