Detection of Acanthamoeba on the ocular surface in a Spanish population using the Schirmer strip test: pathogenic potential, molecular classification and evaluation of the sensitivity to chlorhexidine and voriconazole of the isolated Acanthamoeba strains

Rocha-Cabrera, Pedro; Reyes-Batllé, María; Martín-Navarro, Carmen M.; Dorta-Gorrín, Alexis; López-Arencibia, Atteneri; Sifaoui, Inés; Martínez-Carretero, Enrique; Piñero, José E.; Martín-Barrera, Fernando; Valladares, Basilio

doi:10.1099/jmm.0.000103

Cited by 28 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…144 The first part of a successful treatment includes combination therapy, since this is more effective than monotherapy 68 because one agent is not sufficient to act against all genotypes of Acanthamoeba. 2,25,45,54,56,81,141 While trophozoites are sensitive to different therapies, including antiprotozoals, antiseptics, antibiotics and antifungals, cysts are highly resistant to treatment 1,14,57,78 and are responsible for the persistence of infection since they can remain on the corneal surface for a long time. 3,57 No single agent has proved to be effective against both cysts and trophozoites.…”

Section: Treatment Of Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…56 Due to the factors mentioned previously, it is difficult to create a link between in vivo and in vitro efficacy. 16,45 Effective topical treatments for AK include the use of aromatic diamidines 27,106,141 such as propamidine isethionate, 1,2,54,134,3,13,15,16,25,31,33,45 dibromopropamidine, 15,16,27,45 hexamidine, [1][2][3]13,45,54,66 biguanides, 3,106,146,27 aminoglycosides and imidazoles. Biguanides maybe used together with diamidines, 54,68,73,83,106,141 although diamidines alone cannot work as a monotherapy; they must be combined with other forms of treatments.…”

Section: Treatment Of Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, biguanides can be used without the use of diamidines. 13 The former include multiple agents, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), [1][2][3]13,14,25,31,33,45,52,54,66,98,132,134,141,147 chlorhexidine, [1][2][3]13,14,25,33,52,54,66,141 propamidine isethionate, dibromopropamidine and hexamidine. 127 The combination of chlorhexidine and propamidine isethionate is fast and efficient in AK infection.…”

Section: Treatment Of Akmentioning

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: Treatment Of Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Treatment Of Akmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Treatment Of Akmentioning

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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“…This amphizoic organism has been isolated from air, soil, dust, sewage, sediments, contact lenses as well as the clinical specimens and is particularly plentiful in water [3,4] well at -2 ̊ C to 45 ̊ C [6][7][8][9]. The pathogenic genotypes of Acanthamoeba are the etiological agents of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), skin, lung, kidney, liver, spleen, prostate and uterus infections in the immunocompromised individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Acanthamoeba spp. in Water Sources from Zanjan Province, Northwest of Iran

Pezeshki

Kadkhodamohammadi

Mahmmodzadeh

et al. 2017

J. Hum. Environ. Health Promot.

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Acanthamoeba has two developmental stages in its life cycle trophozoite and cyst, [5]. The trophozoite, is an active form, which the genus of Acanthamoeba is able to feed, grow, move and reproduce, and the cyst, is a non-active form. The double-layered coat cyst of this amoeba is resistant to disinfectants, antibiotics, UV radiation, and the chemical agents. Furthermore, it can survive as Journal of Human, Environment and Health Promotion Journal homepage: www.zums.ac.ir/jhehp Background: The genus of Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan parasite with a worldwide distribution where it is able to cause fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and amoebic keratitis (AK). This organism inhabits in the wide range of natural and man-made aquatic environments. The present study was carried out to evaluate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the various water resources of Zanjan province, northwest Iran, using both morphological and molecular methods. Methods: The Water samples were randomly collected from 30 water sources in different parts of Zanjan, Iran, between April 2015 and May 2016. Then, the samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar and the Acanthamoeba genus identified by morphological characters. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the 18S rRNA gene as a molecular marker. Results: The obtained data showed that, out of the 60 water samples collected, 30 (50%) were positive for Acanthamoeba spp. According to morphological and molecular approaches. Conclusion: The present investigation is the first report of the distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in the various water sources of Zanjan province, gives baseline knowledge regarding water contamination with Acanthamoeba spp. in these areas and emphasizes the necessity of more attention to water sources in order to prevent infections associated with Acanthamoeba spp.

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“…Until now, there is no effective therapy for AK, but the recommended treatment regimen for AK includes a biguanide (0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) or 0.02% chlorhexidine digluconate) accompanied with diamidine (0.1% propamidine isethionate, also known as Brolene, or 0.1% hexamidine, also known as Desomedine) [7,8]. Lately, voriconazole has been demonstrated to be effective against clinical strains of Acanthamoeba [9,10] and has also been successfully used in a clinical case of AK in Spain [11]. One of the main problems on AK recovery is the ability of Acanthamoeba to form an extremely resistant cyst phase.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Vitro Evaluation of Combined Commercialized Ophthalmic Solutions Against Acanthamoeba Strains

et al. 2019

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Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoebae genus which is present worldwide in natural and artificial environments. These amoebae are clinically important as causative agents of diseases in humans and other animals such as a fatal encephalitis or a sight threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Lately; studies have focused on the search of novel therapeutic options for AK but also to prevent infections. Furthermore; the evaluation of commercialized products seems to be an option for this case since not clinical assays would be required. Thus; we aimed to test the amoebicidal activity of different mixtures of two commercial ophthalmic solutions: Systane® Ultra; which has already shown anti-Acanthamoeba properties; and Naviblef® Daily Care. In addition, we tested their cytotoxic effect against murine macrophages. At the individual level; Naviblef® Daily Care showed to be the most active product against Acanthamoeba spp. Nevertheless; the combinations of Systane® Ultra and Naviblef® Daily Care; showed an improvement in the activity against trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff. Moreover; the concentration necessary to generate cytotoxic effect against murine macrophages (J774.1) was much higher than the required for the amoebicidal and cysticidal effect achieved in the most effective mixtures.

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Detection of Acanthamoeba on the ocular surface in a Spanish population using the Schirmer strip test: pathogenic potential, molecular classification and evaluation of the sensitivity to chlorhexidine and voriconazole of the isolated Acanthamoeba strains

Cited by 28 publications

References 25 publications

Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

The Acanthamoeba spp. in Water Sources from Zanjan Province, Northwest of Iran

In Vitro Evaluation of Combined Commercialized Ophthalmic Solutions Against Acanthamoeba Strains

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