Acanthamoeba keratitis: persistent organisms without inflammation after 1 year of topical chlorhexidine.
OBJECTIVE
To report a non-contact lens wearer with persistent Acanthamoeba organisms in the cornea after being treated with medical therapy that included topical chlorhexidine as 1 agent for 1 year.


METHODS
A 53-year-old man with Acanthamoeba keratitis was treated with medical therapy for >1 year, followed by a penetrating keratoplasty.


RESULTS
Histopathologic examination of the keratoplasty specimen revealed viable-appearing Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites within the deep corneal stroma in a focus of corneal scarring.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of chlorhexidine as 1 agent in the medical management of Acanthamoeba keratitis may not eradicate the organisms.
Gooi
Patrick
P
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Lee-Wing
Matthew
M
Brownstein
Seymour
S
El-Defrawy
Sherif
S
Jackson
W Bruce
WB
Mintsioulis
George
G
D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D002710:Chlorhexidine