Vermamoeba vermiformis as etiological agent of a painful ulcer close to the eye

Parasitol Res. 2019 Jun;118(6):1999-2004. doi: 10.1007/s00436-019-06312-y. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Abstract

In the present article, we report on the identification of Vermamoeba (Hartmannella) vermiformis as the etiological agent of a tissue infection close to the eye of a female patient. Laboratory examination revealed no involvement of any pathogenic bacteria or fungi in the tissue infection. V. vermiformis was identified by cultivation and morphology of trophozoites and cysts as well as phylogenetic analysis of nuclear 18S rDNA. The lesion improved in the course of 4 weeks by application of zinc paste.

Keywords: Free-living amoebae; Hartmannella vermiformis; Tissue infection; Vermamoeba vermiformis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amebiasis / diagnosis*
  • Amebiasis / parasitology
  • Amebiasis / pathology*
  • Animals
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Female
  • Hartmannella / classification
  • Hartmannella / genetics
  • Hartmannella / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Phylogeny
  • Trophozoites / classification
  • Trophozoites / growth & development
  • Ulcer / parasitology*
  • Ulcer / pathology

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal