Isolation of Acanthamoeba Spp. From Patients with Keratitis in Sri Lanka
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Date
2001-11-16
Authors
Wijesundera, M. De S.
Iddawela, P.
Wijesundera, S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoebae that are known to cause chronic amoebic
keratitis in humans. Both trophozoite and cysts have been shown in tissues of the cornea, iris and
the ciliary body. Trauma and exposure to contaminated water and soil, use of soft contact lenses
are recognized as risk factors to infection. Although chronic keratitis is common in Sri Lankans
especially in those in agricultural communities the role of Acanthamoeba spp. in the aetilogy of
keratitis is yet to be determined.
Corneal scrapings or corneal biopsy from patients with chronic keratitis presenting at the
Centre for Sight in Kandy were cultured for Acanthamoeba in non-nutrient agar plates with an
overlay of Escherechia coli. Plates were incubated at room temp.(24-28C) and examined every
24 hours for 6 days for Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. During November 2000 to August
2001, 13 samples from 11 patients were examined. One corneal biopsy showed growth of
Acanthamoeba at 72 hours culture. while in a second patient the corneal scrapings became
portive after two weeks. The first patient was a 62-year-old male farmer who presented with a
central corneal ulcer of one years duration, which was refractory to antibacterial and antifungal
therapy. Following the isolation the patient was treated with ketoconazole, gentamycin and
neomycin, which are second line anti-acanthamoebic drugs.
This isolate is being maintained in subculture in the laboratory and hyperimmune sera in
rabbits is being prepared using organisms harvested from cultures. Material is also processed for
electron microscopy to characterize the isolate.
This is the first isolation of Acanthamoeba spp. from a Sri Lankan patient.
Description
Keywords
Medicine , Asolation , Acanthamoeba , Keratitis
Citation
Proceedings & abstracts of the Annual Research Sessions 2001,University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka,pp.99