Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 8090003

[Acanthamoeba keratitis].

E Rakowska·Z Zagórski
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Acanthamoeba keratitis has become a clinical problem together with the widespread use of soft and rigid contact lenses. The number of cases with this kind of infection is growing, but many of cases are diagnosed too late or misdiagnosed. The authors presented, for the first time in Polish literature, a case of acanthamoeba keratitis concerning a 62 aged man. The disease was diagnosed in the right aphakic eye after a 5-year use of soft contact lens, just after cataract operation performed in the clinic in the left eye.

Explore related subjects

Acanthamoeba KeratitisContact Lenses, HydrophilicHumansMaleMiddle AgedCase ReportsEnglish AbstractJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

E Rakowska, Z Zagórski. 1994. [Acanthamoeba keratitis].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8090003/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Cellulose biosynthesis pathway is a potential target in the improved treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan pathogen that can cause blinding keratitis as well as fatal granulomatous encephalitis. One of the distressing aspects in combating Acanthamoeba infections is the prolonged and problematic treatment. For example, current treatment against Acanthamoeba keratitis requires early diagnosis followed by hourly topical application of a mixture of drugs that can last up to a year. The aggressive and prolonged management is due to the ability of Acanthamoeba to rapidly adapt to harsh conditions and switch phenotypes into a resistant cyst form. One possibility of improving the treatment of Acanthamoeba infections is to inhibit the ability of these parasites to switch into the cyst form. The cyst wall is partially made of cellulose. Here, we tested whether a cellulose synthesis inhibitor, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB), can enhance the effects of the antiamoebic drug pentamidine isethionate (PMD). Our findings revealed that DCB can block Acanthamoeba encystment and may improve the antiamoebic effects of PMD. Using in vitro assays, the findings revealed that DCB enhanced the inhibitory effects of PMD on Acanthamoeba binding to and cytotoxicity of the host cells, suggesting the cellulose biosynthesis pathway as a novel target for the improved treatment of Acanthamoeba infections.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis↗
PubMed2006

Severe reactive ischemic posterior segment inflammation in acanthamoeba keratitis: a new potentially blinding syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a newly recognized clinical syndrome in Acanthamoeba keratitis consisting of severe reactive ischemic posterior segment vascular inflammation. DESIGN: Noncomparative, retrospective, single-institution observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five eyes of 5 patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of patients diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis between January 1, 1995, and December 1, 2005, was conducted to identify those who underwent eventual enucleation. Five enucleated eyes of 118 eyes with Acanthamoeba keratitis were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: History, clinical examination results, available laboratory study results, and histopathologic examination results. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination showed Acanthamoeba cysts in the cornea in 4 eyes, whereas it failed to demonstrate amebic cysts or trophozoites in the posterior segment of all eyes studied and unexpectedly revealed chronic chorioretinal inflammation with perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and diffuse neuroretinal ischemia in 4 of 5 eyes. Retinal artery thrombosis was present in 3 of the 4 involved eyes, and central retinal artery and vein thrombosis was found in 1 eye. Hematologic studies in 3 patients showed abnormal anticardiolipin antibody levels in 1 patient and factor V Leiden deficiency in another. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged Acanthamoeba keratitis can result in a severe sterile ischemic posterior segment inflammation that is potentially blinding, especially in patients with underlying hypercoagulation disorders.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis↗
PubMed2006

Oral immunization with Acanthamoeba castellanii mannose-binding protein ameliorates amoebic keratitis.

Acanthamoeba castellanii mannose-binding protein (MBP) mediates adhesion of the amoebae to corneal epithelial cells, a key first step in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a devastating corneal infection. In the present study, we demonstrate that oral immunization with recombinant MBP ameliorates AK in a hamster animal model and that this protection is associated with the presence of elevated levels of anti-MBP immunoglobulin A in the tear fluid of the immunized animals.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis↗