Role of Molecular Diagnostics in Ocular Microbiology

Taravati, Parisa; Lam, Deborah L.; Gelder, Russell N. Van

doi:10.1007/s40135-013-0025-1

Cited by 67 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…Molecular detection assays aimed at identifying ocular pathogens are advantageous in that they are rapid, highly sensitive and specific, requiring small quantities of clinical specimen (Taravati et al, 2013). The sensitivity of culture is determined by the ability to obtain at least one viable organism from the cornea but as molecular detection is based upon nucleic acid amplification rather than live organism, this eliminates concerns of pathogen viability during sampling or transportation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acanthamoeba keratitis: improving the Scottish diagnostic service for the rapid molecular detection of Acanthamoeba species

Alexander

Coyne

Jones

et al. 2015

Journal of Medical Microbiology

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Acanthamoeba species are responsible for causing the potentially sight-threatening condition, Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is commonly associated with contact lens use. In this report, we highlight the challenges faced using conventional laboratory identification methods to identify this often under-reported pathogen, and discuss the reasons for introducing the first national service in Scotland for the rapid and sensitive molecular identification of Acanthamoeba species. By comparing culture and molecular testing data from a total of 63 patients (n580 samples) throughout Scotland presenting with ocular eye disease, we describe the improvement in detection rates where an additional four positive cases were identified using a molecular assay versus culture. The testing of a further ten patients by confocal imaging is also presented. This report emphasizes the importance of continuing to improve clinical laboratory services to ensure a prompt, correct diagnosis and better prognosis, in addition to raising awareness of this potentially debilitating opportunistic pathogen. INTRODUCTIONAcanthamoeba keratitis is an uncommon but sightthreatening disease of the cornea caused by free-living protozoan amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba (Lorenzo- Morales et al., 2013). This painful, often unilateral eye disease may eventually progress to blindness and is associated with contact lens use but can also be diagnosed in non-contact lens wearers. Acanthamoeba species can be found in a variety of different environments including recreational and drinking water, soil and air (Gianinazzi et al., 2009;Legarreta et al., 2013;Rivera et al., 1991). Trophozoites and highly robust cysts can persist for years and are often resistant to drug treatments.Global increases of Acanthamoeba keratitis occurred during the 1970s and 1980s with links to contact lens use in over 85% of cases, which is consistent with recent data from America and Canada (Stehr-Green et al., 1989;Fraser et al., 2012;Page & Mathers, 2013). In addition, noncommercial saline solutions have been implicated as potential risk factors (Newton et al., 1986). The UK experienced an increase in cases during the 1990s which coincided with increased use of soft contact lenses (Illingworth et al., 1995).There is a lack of recent robust data on the prevalence of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Scotland, but based on a study by Seal et al. (1999), the incidence was 149 per million soft contact lens wearers compared with much lower incidence rates of around 18 to 21 per million in the rest of the UK (Radford et al., 2002). Presently, there are approximately 3.7 million contact lens wearers in the UK (British Contact Lens Association, http://www.bcla.org.uk/).An early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for achieving a better prognosis. However, conventional techniques to detect Acanthamoeba species may lack sensitivity, which is likely to result in the true prevalence being underestimated. The challenges of an early diagnosis are compounded by the ability of Acanthamoeba to mimic non-...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acanthamoeba keratitis: improving the Scottish diagnostic service for the rapid molecular detection of Acanthamoeba species

Alexander

Coyne

Jones

et al. 2015

Journal of Medical Microbiology

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“…Given the diversity of epidermal microorganisms, molecular methods provide a great tool for their identification (3). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful, quick, sensitive, and reliable molecular biology technique that relies on the analysis of a particular sequence of DNA molecules (22,23). The present study was conducted to compare the culture and PCR methods in the identification of P. acnes isolated from patients with acne.…”

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confidence: 99%

A comparison of culture and PCR methods for identifying Propionibacterium acnes in lesions isolated from patients with acne

Naghdi

Ghane

2017

Turk J Med Sci

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Background/aim: One of the factors that affect the occurrence of acne is the presence of Propionibacterium acnes. The present study was conducted to compare the culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for identifying P. acnes in lesions isolated from patients with acne. Materials and methods:To examine the presence of P. acnes, 70 samples of acne lesions were collected. Microbial culture and the PCR molecular technique were used to identify P. acnes.Results: Of the total of 70 samples, 14 cases (20%) were identified as P. acnes positive using microbial culture and 58 cases (82.85%) using PCR. The results obtained showed the lack of a relationship between the frequency of P. acnes and factors such as sex, family history of acne, and history of treatment with either of the techniques examined (i.e. the microbial culture and PCR). In contrast, a significant relationship was observed between the frequency of P. acnes and age with the culture method. Conclusion:Given the limitations in the identification of P. acnes using microbial culture, PCR is proposed as a better method with a higher efficiency.

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“…DNA sequencing is one tool that may become more widespread in identifying and treating conjunctivitis [88][89][90]. Additionally, promising new therapeutic agents may soon be available in treatment of conjunctivitis.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Update on Neonatal and Pediatric Conjunctivitis

Andalibi

Haidara

Bor

et al. 2015

Curr Ophthalmol Rep

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Conjunctivitis is among the most common ophthalmic conditions found in neonatal and pediatric patients. It has a wide range of clinical presentations and outcomes, ranging from self-limiting hyperemia to blindness and life-threatening systemic illness. This review explores the epidemiology, etiology, and diagnosis of conjunctivitis in the neonatal and pediatric population. In addition, it explores recent trends in transmission across different populations and evidence-based approaches that clinicians may use in treating neonatal and pediatric conjunctivitis.

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Role of Molecular Diagnostics in Ocular Microbiology

Cited by 67 publications

References 96 publications

Acanthamoeba keratitis: improving the Scottish diagnostic service for the rapid molecular detection of Acanthamoeba species

Acanthamoeba keratitis: improving the Scottish diagnostic service for the rapid molecular detection of Acanthamoeba species

A comparison of culture and PCR methods for identifying Propionibacterium acnes in lesions isolated from patients with acne

An Update on Neonatal and Pediatric Conjunctivitis

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