[Acanthamoeba keratitis treated with propamidine and polyhexamethyl biguanide (PHMB)].
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis has increased since 1985 due to the massive use of contact lenses and a better knowledge of the disease by ophthalmologists. The use of biassociated therapy has resulted in a better prognosis and lower complication rate.


OBJECTIVE
To report patients with acanthamoeba keratitis treated with the association of propamidine (Brolene) and polyhexamethylbiguanide (PHMB) 0.02%.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 27 patients (31 eyes) with acanthamoeba keratitis (bilateral in four cases), diagnosed by culture, biopsy or characteristic clinical features.


RESULTS
Ninety six percent of patients used rigid contact lenses. Acanthamoeba cultures were positive in 71% of cases. The delay in the diagnosis was between 1 and 5 months. Early treatment was possible in 29% of patients. Infection was irradicated in all cases with the biassociated therapy. A tectonic keratoplasty to treat a trophic perforation was done in eight eyes. No patient required therapeutic keratoplasty to resolve the infection. Visual acuity at the end of follow up was better than 20/40 in nine patients and in eight it was in the range of count fingers or less.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with the clinical picture of acanthamoeba keratitis, early or late antiamoebic treatment is warranted even in the absence of positive cultures. The visual results of the treatment are highly dependent on the precocity of treatment. Prevention is imperative and is based on a strict contact lens hygiene.
Donoso
Rodrigo
R
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago-Chile. rdonoso@pasteur.cl
Mura
Juan José
JJ
López
Mauricio
M
D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000563:Amebicides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001550:Benzamidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000563:Amebicides; D001550:Benzamidines; D001645:Biguanides; D004202:Disinfectants; C031233:polihexanide; C005555:propamidine