Early diagnosis of amoebic keratitis due to a mixed infection with Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella

Parasitol Res. 2007 Dec;102(1):167-9. doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0754-x. Epub 2007 Sep 21.

Abstract

A mixed keratitis due to Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella species is reported. The patient was a soft contact lens wearer. Early diagnosis was achieved by polymerase chain reaction and culture. The pathogenic potential of the isolated amoebae was proven using cytotoxicity assays. The reported case underlines the difficulties in identifying a corneal amoebic infection. In our case, the early diagnosis of a mixed infection allowed a proper antiamoebic treatment in an early stage of infection. This may have been the reason of a successful outcome after therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acanthamoeba / isolation & purification*
  • Amebiasis / diagnosis
  • Amebiasis / drug therapy
  • Amebiasis / parasitology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic
  • Cornea / parasitology
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / parasitology*
  • Hartmannella / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / diagnosis
  • Keratitis / drug therapy
  • Keratitis / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antiprotozoal Agents