[Acanthamoeba keratitis. Report of 3 cases diagnosed in central Tunisia].
BACKGROUND
Amoeba of the genus Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous free-living protozoa encountered in water and soil. They frequently cause sight-threatening keratitis.


OBJECTIVE
Report of the three first cases diagnosed at the laboratory of Parasitology of Sousse Hospital, (Tunisia).


METHODS
Our study concerned three lens-wearing female patients, aged 17, 20 and 29 years respectively. The patients originate from central Tunisia and presented with unilateral (2 cases) or bilateral (one case) keratitis. Diagnosis was made by demonstrating Acanthamoeba trophozoites and/or cysts on direct examination and/or culture (in agar - Escherichia coli medium) of contact lenses and/or lenses' solution. Direct examination of corneal swabs was negative in three cases but culture was positive in one. The three patients were treated with hexamidine and neomycine eye-drops for three months. Treatment led to scarring of lesions with however sequellar opacities that was minor to moderate in two cases and consisted of a central leucoma with a poor visual outcome in the last case.


CONCLUSIONS
The need for systematic research of amoeba in lenses wearing patients with keratitis is emphasized.
Fathallah
Akila
A
Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
Ben Rayana
Narjess
N
Knani
Leila
L
Meksi
Sondos Gaied
SG
Saghrouni
Fatma
F
Ghorbel
Mohamed
M
Hamida
Fafani Ben Hadj
FB
Ben Said
Moncef
M
D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003261:Contact Lenses; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014416:Tunisia
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions