Acanthamoeba: keratopathogenicity of isolates from domestic tap water in Korea.
In a previous study, we reported on the contamination rate of free living amoeba, including Acanthamoeba, isolated from contact lens storage cases (CLSC) and domestic tap water in Korea. In an effort to evaluate the potential kerato-pathogenicity of 5 isolates from CLSC and 17 isolates from domestic tap water, we have conducted an investigation into the morphological features, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) phenotypes, 18S rDNA sequences, and drug sensitivities of these isolates, and have compared the results with those of 20 amoebic keratitis (AK) isolates from Korea, as well as 14 reference strains. Cysts from 22 isolates obtained from CLSC and domestic tap water showed typical characteristics of morphological group 2. A total of three and five mtDNA RFLP patterns generated by EcoRI were found in 5 of the isolates from CLSC and 17 of the isolates from domestic tap water, respectively. The mtDNA RFLP patterns of four of the five isolates from the CLSC were found to be identical to those of the isolates from domestic tap water of students who had contaminated CLSC. The majority had mtDNA RFLP patterns identical to those of AK isolates in Korea. The results of 18S rDNA sequencing analysis were also shown to coincide with the results of mtDNA RFLP analysis. KA/WP12 was determined to be profoundly sensitive to chlorhexidine (MCC; 6.25microg/ml), and KAWP2 was the most sensitive strain to polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) (MCC; 4.69microg/ml). Some difference in the cytopathic effects of isolates against human corneal epithelial cells was observed according to their mtDNA genotypes. In conclusion, domestic tap water may constitute a source of Acanthamoeba contamination of CLSC, and most isolates from CLSC and domestic tap water appear to be potentially keratopathogenic.
Jeong
Hae Jin
HJ
Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, 1-10 Ami-dong, Seo-gu, Busan 602-739, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Sun Joo
SJ
Kim
Jeong Hwan
JH
Xuan
Ying Hua
YH
Lee
Keun Hee
KH
Park
Sang Kyun
SK
Choi
Sun Hee
SH
Chung
Dong Il
DI
Kong
Hyun Hee
HH
Ock
Mee Sun
MS
Yu
Hak Sun
HS
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D001645:Biguanides / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000469:parasitology; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014881:Water Supply
D001645:Biguanides; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D004202:Disinfectants; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; C031233:polihexanide; D002710:Chlorhexidine