Comparison of UVA- and UVA/riboflavin-induced growth inhibition of Acanthamoeba castellanii.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether ultraviolet light (UVA) at 365 nm can inhibit/eliminate Acanthamoeba growth and if riboflavin would potentiate such an association.


METHODS
Acanthamoeba castellanii in a fluid medium with a concentration of approximately 1.7 × 10(4) protozoa/ml were prepared with (0.01 %) and without riboflavin. Exposure of UVA (dose 5.475 J/cm(2)) took place twice, with each illumination period followed by culturing of 10 μl in peptone yeast-extract glucose (PYG) medium for 7 days. Every suspension prepared had a non-exposed control solution. Determination of Acanthamoeba was conducted daily, by count in Burker chamber days 4 through 7 after exposure. Statistical analysis was done by repeated-measurement ANOVA and post-hoc analysis for unpaired samples.


RESULTS
The exposure of ultraviolet light resulted in an inhibited growth of Acanthamoeba compared to the non-exposed solutions, with a statistically significant reduction over time (p = 0.0003). The addition of riboflavin did not amplify the effect, and there were no tendencies for an interaction effect between UVA and riboflavin.


CONCLUSIONS
The antiprotozoal effect of the UVA wavelength, utilized in CXL, is solely mediated by ultraviolet light, and riboflavin does not seem to amplify the antimicrobial efficacy.
Department of Ophthalmology, Örebro University Hospital, 701 85, Örebro, Sweden. karim.makdoumi@orebroll.se
Karim
K
Makdoumi
Anders
A
Bäckman
Jes
J
Mortensen
Anders
A
Magnuson
Sven
S
Crafoord
D048248:Acanthamoeba castellanii / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012256:Riboflavin