Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Diagnosis and Treatment
Journal Title: Journal of Rare Disorders: Diagnosis & Therapy - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 4
Abstract
Acanthamoeba species are the causative agent of a sight threatening infection of the cornea known as Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by the free-living amoeba Acanthamoeba spp., and is a sight-threatening corneal infection that presents with corneal ulcerations. It was first reported in 1973 [1]. Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous protozoa that exist in 2 forms: Trophozoites (the active form) and cysts (the inactive form). Cysts are notoriously difficult to kill and this is one reason why this infection is so difficult to eradicate. Only one class of medications is known to have cystocidal activity, the biguanides. The incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis in this study was found to be 1.04% and the incidence in other reported Indian series ranges from 0.34 to 1.4% [2-5]. The incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis appears to be increasing because of its frequent association with contact lens wear, which represents the cause of >85% of Acanthamoeba keratitis cases, especially in developed countries [6-8]. Members of the genus Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous and can be isolated from well, tap, bottled and swimming pool water, as well as sand, dust, human nasal and throat secretions, and animal stools. The life cycle of Acanthamoeba consists of a trophozoite and a cyst stage [9].
Authors and Affiliations
Shriram H Bairagi
Keywords
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- EP ID EP304923
- DOI 10.21767/2380-7245.100061
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