Acanthamoeba keratitis in a non-contact lens wearer with human immunodeficiency virus.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is potentially blinding and often associated with contact lens wearing. A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient, a non-contact lens wearer, presented with keratitis. She experienced a protracted course of disease, characterized by exacerbations and remissions, and was treated with various topical antibiotics and steroids. 13 months after symptom onset the eye was removed owing to serious scarring of cornea and unbearable pain. Microbiological and histopathological examination of the cornea showed Acanthamoeba. In non-contact lens wearers suffering from Acanthamoeba keratitis the diagnosis is delayed, pathognomonic features are often not seen and visual outcome is usually poor. There is no known relation between HIV infection and Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Birgitte_h@hotmail.com
Birgitte
B
Hansen
Gitte
G
Kronborg
D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003261:Contact Lenses; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015353:Eye Enucleation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013256:Steroids