title: Microwave Irradiation as a Promising Method of Sterilization for Acanthamoeba polyphaga in Cultures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the killing effect of microwave irradiation on Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
  
  
  METHODS
  The trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga both in water and on agar were exposed to microwave irradiation with a capacity of 750 W for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. Furthermore, the trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga in water were exposed to microwave irradiation with a capacity of 100, 300, and 500 W for 1 minute, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga on agar were completely killed by 3 minutes of microwave irradiation with a capacity of 750 W. The trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga in water were completely killed by microwave irradiation with a capacity of 300 W for 1 minute.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrate that microwave treatment is effective in killing A. polyphaga both in water and on agar and may be a helpful modality to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; and †Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Osama M A
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Tais H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wakamatsu
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dogru
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsubota
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000469:parasitology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008872:Microwaves; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D053058:Trophozoites / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects