[Molecular characteristics of Acanthamoeba strains from keratitis patients].
OBJECTIVE
To study the molecular characteristics of Acanthamoeba strains isolated from keratitis patients.


METHODS
Twenty six Acanthamoeba strains were isolated from corneal ulcers between 1994 and 2002. Partial genome DNA sequences of all strains of Acanthamoeba were amplified using PCR and then the PCR products were sequenced. The partial DNA sequences were analyzed by software Clustal X and MEGA2. The results of Acanthamoeba obtained from Beijing Tongren Hospital were compared with strains from other countries and districts.


RESULTS
Of 26 Acanthamoeba strains isolated from the patients, 25 (96%) were 18S rDNA (Rns) genotype T4 and one (4%) was T3. These results were similar to those obtained from other countries and districts.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the Rns genotype classification criterion, most of Acanthamoeba strains isolated from keratitis patients in Beijing are genotype T4 and only few of these strains are genotype T3. The Acanthamoeba infecting the cornea might belong to the specific 18S rDNA genotype.
Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing 100005, China.
Yan
Y
Zhang
Xu-guang
XG
Sun
Shi-jing
SJ
Deng
Zhi-qun
ZQ
Wang
Ran
R
Li
Shi-yun
SY
Luo
Xiu-ying
XY
Jin
Wei
W
Chen
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000469:parasitology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics*
D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S