Anti- Acanthamoeba IgG, IgM, and IgA immunoreactivities in correlation to strain pathogenicity

Walochnik, Julia; Obwaller, Andreas; Haller-Schober, Eva-Maria; Aspöck, Horst

doi:10.1007/s004360100412

Cited by 35 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Acanthamoeba densities in Austrian tap water are extremely low and also most Austrian lakes are rather cold and, as far as these data are available, all have very low Acanthamoeba densities (own, unpublished data). However—although usually at low densities—acanthamoebae can be found in almost any habitat and regular contact to them is inevitable, which is also reflected by the fact that almost 100% of the normal population have specific antibodies against acanthamoebae (Walochnik et al 2001 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Twenty Years of Acanthamoeba Diagnostics in Austria

Walochnik

Scheikl

Haller-Schober

2014

J Eukaryotic Microbiology

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Acanthamoebae are the causative agents of an often seriously progressing keratitis (AK) occurring predominantly in contact lens wearers and can cause several disseminating infections potentially resulting in granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) in the immunocompromised host. Our institution is the Austrian reference laboratory for Acanthamoeba diagnostics and the aim of this study was to give an overview of proven cases of Acanthamoeba infections in Austria during the past 20 yr. All samples of patients with suspected AK or GAE were screened for Acanthamoeba spp. by culture and/or PCR and the detected amoebae were genotyped. Altogether, 154 cases of AK and three cases of GAE were diagnosed. Age of the AK patients ranged from 8 to 82 yr (mean 37.8) and 58% of the patients were female. Approximately 89% of the AK patients were contact lens wearers, almost all cases were unilateral and 19% of the patients required a keratoplasty. Age of the GAE patients ranged from 2 to 25 yr (mean 14.7), all were HIV‐negative, but two were severely immunosuppressed at the time of diagnosis. The predominant genotype in the AK cases was T4, other genotypes found were T3, T5, T6, T10 and T11. The three GAE cases involved genotypes T2, T4 and T5.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Twenty Years of Acanthamoeba Diagnostics in Austria

Walochnik

Scheikl

Haller-Schober

2014

J Eukaryotic Microbiology

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“…genotyping), sub-cultures should be prepared since fungi and other microorganisms also grow very well in these cultures. In addition, several physiological properties can be used to further describe and discriminate Acanthamoeba isolates, including growth rate, temperature tolerance, cell culture pathogenicity and in vivo mouse pathogenicity [ 22 , 24 , 34 , 115 ].…”

Section: Diagnostics Of Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The factors that enable Acanthamoeba to produce disease are not limited solely to the pathogen, but most likely involve host determinants [ 17 , 115 ]. Evidence for this comes from recent studies in the UK, Japan and New Zealand, which suggested that the storage cases of contact lenses of 400–800 per 10,000 asymptomatic wearers are contaminated with Acanthamoeba .…”

Section: Pathogenesis Of Acanthamoeba Keratitismentioning

confidence: 99%

An update onAcanthamoebakeratitis: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment

2015

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Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are causal agents of a severe sight-threatening infection of the cornea known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. Moreover, the number of reported cases worldwide is increasing year after year, mostly in contact lens wearers, although cases have also been reported in non-contact lens wearers. Interestingly, Acanthamoeba keratitis has remained significant, despite our advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. In part, this is due to an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disease, diagnostic delays and problems associated with chemotherapeutic interventions. In view of the devastating nature of this disease, here we present our current understanding of Acanthamoeba keratitis and molecular mechanisms associated with the disease, as well as virulence traits of Acanthamoeba that may be potential targets for improved diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and/or for the development of preventative measures. Novel molecular approaches such as proteomics, RNAi and a consensus in the diagnostic approaches for a suspected case of Acanthamoeba keratitis are proposed and reviewed based on data which have been compiled after years of working on this amoebic organism using many different techniques and listening to many experts in this field at conferences, workshops and international meetings. Altogether, this review may serve as the milestone for developing an effective solution for the prevention, control and treatment of Acanthamoeba infections.

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“…However, in some circumstances, they are able to enter human bodies from different sources, colonize some organs, multiply within them, and thus exist as opportunistic parasites causing pathogenic effects. Epidemiological, serological, biochemical, and molecular investigations have shown that people may be exposed to pathogenic as well as nonpathogenic Acanthamoeba strains [ 3 , 6 ]. It seems that the amoebae come into the human body relatively frequently, without pathogenic consequences, as indicated by 50–100% of the healthy population having specific antibodies [ 7 – 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging Threats for Human Health in Poland: Pathogenic Isolates from Drug ResistantAcanthamoebaKeratitis Monitored in terms of TheirIn VitroDynamics and Temperature Adaptability

Chomicz

Conn

Padzik

et al. 2015

BioMed Research International

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Amphizoic amoebae generate a serious human health threat due to their pathogenic potential as facultative parasites, causative agents of vision-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Recently, AK incidences have been reported with increasing frequency worldwide, particularly in contact lens wearers. In our study, severe cases of AK in Poland and respective pathogenic isolates were assessed at clinical, morphological, and molecular levels. Misdiagnoses and the unsuccessful treatment in other ophthalmic units delayed suitable therapy, and resistance to applied chemicals resulted in severe courses and treatment difficulties. Molecular assessment indicated that all sequenced pathogenic corneal isolates deriving from Polish patients with AK examined by us showed 98–100% homology with Acanthamoeba genotype T4, the most prevalent genotype in this human ocular infection worldwide. In vitro assays revealed that the pathogenic strains are able to grow at elevated temperature and have a wide adaptive capability. This study is our subsequent in vitro investigation on pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains of AK originating from Polish patients. Further investigations designed to foster a better understanding of the factors leading to an increase of AK observed in the past years in Poland may help to prevent or at least better cope with future cases.

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Anti- Acanthamoeba IgG, IgM, and IgA immunoreactivities in correlation to strain pathogenicity

Cited by 35 publications

References 20 publications

Twenty Years of Acanthamoeba Diagnostics in Austria

Twenty Years of Acanthamoeba Diagnostics in Austria

An update onAcanthamoebakeratitis: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment

Emerging Threats for Human Health in Poland: Pathogenic Isolates from Drug ResistantAcanthamoebaKeratitis Monitored in terms of TheirIn VitroDynamics and Temperature Adaptability

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