The 18S rRNA gene (Rns) phylogeny of Acanthamoeba is being investigated as a basis for improvements in the nomenclature and taxonomy of the genus. We previously analyzed Rns sequences from 18 isolates from morphological groups 2 and 3 and found that they fell into four distinct evolutionary lineages we called sequence types T1-T4. Here, we analyzed sequences from 53 isolates representing 16 spe...

Infections of the corneal surface are an important cause of blindness. Protozoal, viral, bacterial, and helminthic infections of the cornea account for up to 9 million cases of corneal blindness. Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba produce a progressive infection of the cornea called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Disease is usually transmitted by Acanthamoeba trophozoites bound to soft cont...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites on cosmetic contact lenses (CLs) with and without CL care multipurpose solution (MPS) treatment. METHODS Acanthamoeba lugdunensis L3a trophozoites were inoculated onto disks trimmed from CLs: 1-day Acuvue moist, 1-day Acuvue define, Acuvue 2, and Acuvue 2 define. After 18-hour inoculation, the number of adherent...

Purpose. Acanthamoeba keratitis remains a difficult diagnosis despite advances in genetic and imaging technologies. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the utility of cytology smears for diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Methods. This is a case study of the diagnostic course for a patient with suspected Acanthamoeba keratitis. Results. A 40-year-old male with poor contact lens hygiene ...

Acanthamoeba are opportunistic protozoan parasites that can cause painful, visionthreatening keratitis. However the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Acanthamoeba keratitis remain incompletely understood. Most cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis develop as a result of poor hygiene in contact lens care but it is unclear how amoebae transmigrate from the environment into the cornea leading to infla...

Members of the genus Acanthamoeba are increasingly recognized as agents of indolent, chronic, infectious keratitis. Recently, Acanthamoeba corneal infection has been reported in some persons who wear soft contact lenses. In this study, three "heat" and three "cold" soft contact lens disinfection systems were tested according to the manufacturers' instructions against Acanthamoeba castellanii an...

Several thermal areas, also used for leisure purposes, may represent suitable habitats free-living amoebae (FLAs), but few studies have been carried out in search these organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and distribution FLAs by culture detection molecular identification, over a one year-round sampling two sites Central Italy. Two geothermal springs (Site A Site B) were...

opportunistic infections due to free-living amoebae such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (gae), cutaneous acanthamoebiasis and disseminated infections could be the causative agent of mortality in people living with hiv/aids. in this study, we report the occurrence of the acanthamoeba belonging to the t4 genotype isolated from nasal and oral swabs of a 15 -yr-old man with hiv infection. hi...

PURPOSE To compare the relative diagnostic value of confocal microscopy and superficial corneal cultures in the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis by using clinical and microbiologic definitions of disease. METHODS Results of confocal microscopy, superficial corneal smear, and superficial corneal culture were analyzed for validity against 2 different microbiologic and a clinical composite st...

Members of Acanthamoeba cause three main types of illness involving the brain and spinal cord (Granulomatous encephalitis), the eye (Acanthamoeba keratitis), and infections that can spread throughout the entire body (disseminated infection). A total of 96 water samples (Nile, ground, tap and swimming pool) were collected for detection of Acanthamoeba species that were cultivated on non-nutrient...