Adherence of Acanthamoeba to Lens Cases and Effects of Drying on Survival

Boost, Maureen; Shi, Guangsen; Cho, Pauline

doi:10.1097/opx.0b013e318215c316

Cited by 9 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…136 The majority of patients with AK are immunocompetent CL wearers. 16,20,87 Contaminated water: contact may occur in daily activities such as showering, using hot tubs, lakes, 31 tap water, 115,137 water storage tanks, swimming, 11,19,55 fishing, snow and water sports. 1,22,99,106 The exposure of CLs to water during the process of disinfection, such as while rinsing 11 and cleaning lenses with tap water before putting them in the storage case, 1 is very harmful.…”

Section: Risk Factors For Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Acanthamoeba adhesion to CLs is one of the essential first steps in the pathogenesis of AK. 72 The adhesion of protozoa can occur with all types of CLs 55,63,119,135 and depends on many factors, namely CL material, 93 form and concentration of the Acanthamoeba species, surface tension, 25 water content, iconicity, CL material 23 and exposure time to the protozoa. 71 The CL material is directly related to the adhesion capacity of Acanthamoeba 93,122 and its later transfer to the corneal surface.…”

Section: Adhesion Of Acanthamoeba To Contact Lensesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…71 The CL material is directly related to the adhesion capacity of Acanthamoeba 93,122 and its later transfer to the corneal surface. 55,71 Acanthamoeba adheres to both soft and rigid lenses. 31,56 Comparing the rate of adhesion, it was noted that trophozoites can adhere to CL materials more than cysts.…”

Section: Adhesion Of Acanthamoeba To Contact Lensesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

Lacerda

Lira

2020

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection caused by a unicellular protozoan of the genus Acanthamoeba that is universally widespread. Until now, most cases were reported in contact lens wearers, although it is also a reality for non‐wearers, mostly connected to corneal trauma. There is also a variation in incidence regarding the aetiology of the disease between developed and developing countries. Purpose This work is based on a literature review, and the main goal is to deepen the knowledge about Acanthamoeba keratitis, presenting the main risk factors and focusing on prevention actions for this type of corneal infection since the treatments are not always effective. It targets specialists in visual health to strengthen their knowledge in this area, as well as to allow them to better inform their patients about hygiene care, appropriate measures of disinfection and ways to minimise the risk of infection. At this stage, it is important to highlight the essential role that practitioners play in fitting, monitoring and following‐up patients to minimise the danger of infection. Recent findings It is well recognised that corneal trauma facilitates invasion by leaving an open door for microorganisms to penetrate the cornea. In addition to trauma, risk factors are mostly associated with patients’ behaviours, such as interaction of contact lenses with contaminated water in the shower, swimming pools and beaches, etc., lack of hygiene habits with contact lenses and respective cases, and the use of ineffective disinfecting solutions. The fact that a disinfecting solution is not completely effective against trophozoites and/or cysts, both forms of Acanthamoeba’s lifecycle, can cause the infection since one cyst alone leads to the emergence of a whole new population of Acanthamoeba. Summary It is necessary to reduce the risk of infection and, beyond the need to promote patient education to encourage correct CL hygiene behaviours, it should also be highlighted that there is an urgent need to enhance the efficacy of CL disinfection systems against all strains and both stages of Acanthamoeba through the creation of standardised methods. The ease of purchasing CLs without any supervision must also be considered a concern, and, in the near future, it is also important to develop and implement effective diagnostic methods and treatments for Acanthamoeba keratitis.

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Section: Risk Factors For Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adhesion Of Acanthamoeba To Contact Lensesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

Lacerda

Lira

2020

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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“…The advantages of mechanical cleaning, tissue wiping and air drying of contact lens storage cases in reducing frequency and level of bacterial contamination have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo (Wu et al, 2015 for review) . An in vitro study has demonstrated the effectiveness of tissue wiping and air drying for removal of viable Acanthamoeba from both clean and artificially soiled and scratched contact lens storage cases . While only 6% of storage cases of asymptomatic contact lens wearers harbour Acanthamoeba , the disease is extremely rare.…”

Section: Steps To Limit Disease Incidence or Severitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…120 An in vitro study has demonstrated the effectiveness of tissue wiping and air drying for removal of viable Acanthamoeba from both clean and artificially soiled and scratched contact lens storage cases. 122 While only 6% of storage cases of asymptomatic contact lens wearers harbour Acanthamoeba, 123 the disease is extremely rare. A large proportion of storage cases contain bacteria and likewise a larger, but still relatively small proportion of wearers develop bacterial infection.…”

Section: Storage Case Hygiene Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies for the prevention of contact lens‐related Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review

Carnt

Stapleton

2015

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

102

129

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Purpose: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a severe, often sight threatening, corneal infection which in Western countries is predominantly seen in daily wear of contact lenses. This review aims to summarise the pathobiology and epidemiology of contact lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis, and to present strategies for prevention, particularly with respect to modifiable risk factors in contact lens wear. Recent Findings: The virulence of Acanthamoeba and resistance to treatment in keratitis appears to be linked with the production of a low molecular weight pro-tease MIP133 by the organism, in response to binding to corneal epithelial cells through a mannose binding protein, and to the ability of the organism to convert from the trophozoite to the resistant cyst form. Recent epidemiological studies in contact lens relate disease have confirmed the link between solution topping up and Acanthamoeba keratitis and have reinforced the importance of avoidance of tap water, either as part of the care for the contact lens or storage case, handling lenses with wet hands or showering while wearing lenses. In the most recent analysis from the USA, there were no strong effects for solution type, water source or water disinfection process. Wearer age, lens wear time and history to appear to be linked with Acanthamoeba keratitis. Daily disposable contact lens use would be expected to reduce the prevalence of Acanthamoeba disease although this is unproven. Summary: While Acanthamoeba keratitis remains challenging to diagnose and manage, strategies to limit the disease severity in contact lens wearers should include attention to recently identified risk factors, particularly those related to water contact. Public health awareness measures, the use of daily disposable contact lenses, a better understanding of the contribution of the host immunity and the development of standardised methods for culture of amoeba and testing of contact lens care systems against Acanthamoeba in the licensing process may be of value. Alternative treatments for the future may include those which target the mannose binding protein or the genes which control conversion to the cyst form.

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The role of Acanthamoeba spp. in biofilm communities: a systematic review

et al. 2021

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Acanthamoeba spp. have always caused disease in immunosuppressed patients, but since 1986, they have become a worldwide public health issue by causing infection in healthy contact lens wearers. Amoebae of the Acanthamoeba genus are broadly distributed in nature, living either freely or as parasites, and are frequently associated with biofilms throughout the environment. These biofilms provide the parasite with protection against external aggression, thus favoring its increased pathogeny. This review aims to assess observational studies on the association between Acanthamoeba spp. and biofilms, opening potential lines of research on this severe ocular infection. A systematic literature search was conducted in May 2020 in the following databases: PubMed Central ® /Medline, LILACS, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE ® . The studies were selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria specifically defined for this review. Electronic research recovered 353 publications in the literature. However, none of the studies met the inclusion criterion of biofilm-producing Acanthamoeba spp., inferring that the parasite does not produce biofilms. Nonetheless, 78 studies were classified as potentially included regarding any association of Acanthamoeba spp. and biofilms. These studies were allocated across six different locations (hospital, aquatic, ophthalmic and dental environments, biofilms produced by bacteria, and other places). Acanthamoeba species use biofilms produced by other microorganisms for their benefit, in addition to them providing protection to and facilitating the dissemination of pathogens residing in them.

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Adherence of Acanthamoeba to Lens Cases and Effects of Drying on Survival

Cited by 9 publications

References 36 publications

Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

Strategies for the prevention of contact lens‐related Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review

The role of Acanthamoeba spp. in biofilm communities: a systematic review

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