title: The use of dimethyl sulfoxide in contact lens disinfectants is a potential preventative strategy against contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis.
abstract: Acanthamoeba castellanii is the causative agent of blinding keratitis. Though reported in non-contact lens wearers, it is most frequently associated with improper use of contact lens. For contact lens wearers, amoebae attachment to the lens is a critical first step, followed by amoebae binding to the corneal epithelial cells during extended lens wear. Acanthamoeba attachment to surfaces (biological or inert) and migration is an active process and occurs during the trophozoite stage. Thus retaining amoebae in the cyst stage (dormant form) offers an added preventative measure in impeding parasite traversal from the contact lens onto the cornea. Here, we showed that as low as 3% DMSO, abolished A. castellanii excystation. Based on the findings, it is proposed that DMSO should be included in the contact lens disinfectants as an added preventative strategy against contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ruqaiyyah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Boston University, USA.
authors.forename: Yousuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aqeel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia. Electronic address: naveed5438@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Naveed Ahmed
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048248:Acanthamoeba castellanii / Q000187:drug effects*; D000563:Amebicides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000469:parasitology*; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000563:Amebicides; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide
keywords: A. castellanii; Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); Encystation; Excystation