Propylene glycol and contact-lens solutions containing this diol induce pseudocyst formation in acanthamoebae.
Propylene glycol used as an ophthalmic demulcent in certain contact-lens care systems has been included recently among factors responsible for increasing Acanthamoeba keratitis. In this study, we provide evidence that propylene glycol as well as examined contact-lens solutions containing it induce rapid differentiation of acanthamoebae into pseudocysts. The partial resistance of the pseudocysts and their reversibility to viable trophozoites even after 24-h exposure to the contact-lens solutions indicate a potential risk of infection to contact-lens users.
Kliescikova
Jarmila
J
Department of Tropical Medicine, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague, Faculty Hospital Bulovka, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
Kulda
Jaroslav
J
Nohynkova
Eva
E
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000209:etiology*; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D019946:Propylene Glycol