title: Acanthamoeba and Fusarium interactions: A possible problem in keratitis.
abstract: The incidence of Acanthamoeba and Fusarium species has increased in contact lens-related infectious keratitis. They share several environments and cases of co-infection have been reported. The interaction between the amoebae and other microorganisms may result in significant changes for both, like increased virulence in mammalian hosts. In this study, we evaluated the interaction of three Acanthamoeba castellanii strains with Fusarium conidia and the possible implications on keratitis. F. conidia were internalized by A. castellanii strains and were able to germinate inside the amoebae. The co-culture with the live amoebae, as well as the amoebal culture supernatant and lysate, increased the fungal growth significantly. Moreover, live F. solani and its culture supernatant enhanced the survival of amoebae, but in a different way in each amoebal strain. The encystment of the A. castellanii strain re-isolated from rat lung was increased by the fungus. These results show that A. castellanii and F. solani interaction may have an important influence on survival of both, and specially indicate a possible effect on virulence characteristics of these microorganisms. These data suggest that the A. castellanii-F. solani interaction may cause severe impacts on keratitis.
authors: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors: Thais Esther Teixeira
authors: TE
authors: Nunes
authors: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Nathalya Tesch
authors: NT
authors: Brazil
authors: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre Meneghello
authors: AM
authors: Fuentefria
authors: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: marilise.rott@ufrgs.br.
authors: Marilise Brittes
authors: MB
authors: Rott
mesh_terms: D048248:Acanthamoeba castellanii / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops / Q000382:microbiology; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D060085:Coinfection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000254:growth & development*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D051381:Rats; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development; D014709:Vero Cells / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence
keywords: Interaction; Keratitis; Sporulation