Early diagnosis of amoebic keratitis due to a mixed infection with Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella.
A mixed keratitis due to Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella species is reported. The patient was a soft contact lens wearer. Early diagnosis was achieved by polymerase chain reaction and culture. The pathogenic potential of the isolated amoebae was proven using cytotoxicity assays. The reported case underlines the difficulties in identifying a corneal amoebic infection. In our case, the early diagnosis of a mixed infection allowed a proper antiamoebic treatment in an early stage of infection. This may have been the reason of a successful outcome after therapy.
Lorenzo-Morales
Jacob
J
University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. jmlorenz@ull.es
Martínez-Carretero
Enrique
E
Batista
Ninive
N
Alvarez-Marín
Jorge
J
Bahaya
Yasmina
Y
Walochnik
Julia
J
Valladares
Basilio
B
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003315:Cornea / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D006249:Hartmannella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents