title: Comparison of Pouzolzia indica methanolic extract and Virkon against cysts of Acanthamoeba spp.
abstract: The present study was conducted to investigate the morphological and structural changes of Acanthamoeba cysts after being treated with various concentrations of Pouzolzia indica methanolic extract fraction 3 (methanol eluted) and Virkon solution. Changes in the Acanthamoeba cysts were detected by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show Acanthamoeba cysts were killed by Pouzolzia indica methanolic extract fraction 3 at a concentration of 1:8 and by Virkon solution at a concentration of 0.25%, with a minimal cysticidal concentration (MCC) by 24 hours. Both agents caused similar structural damage to Acanthamoeba cysts in the same sequence. Step by step structural alterations occurred within the cyst. First, the cyst shrank, collapsed and had clumping of cytoplasmic stuctures inside the cyst walls. Second, the cysts began to bulge, swell, have a decrease in wrinkles in the cyst walls and spill the cytoplasmic contents into the environment. Finally, the cyst walls broke into small pieces. This study may be beneficial to compare with future studies of pharmaceutical agents against Acanthamoeba keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kosol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roongruangchai
authors.forename: Tanawan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kummalue
authors.forename: Tichaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sookkua
authors.forename: Jantima
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roongruangchai
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000187:drug effects*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010545:Peroxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027003:Urticaceae
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010545:Peroxides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C071517:monoperoxysulfate