Clinical and histologic evaluations of experimental Acanthamoeba keratitis

Abstract

Amoebic keratitis, a sight-threatening, progressive corneal disease, is commonly caused by ubiquitous, pathogenic, free-living Acanthamoeba spp., which are widely distributed in the environment. We investigated clinical findings and histology of Acanthamoeba keratitis in a rat cornea model. Experimental Acanthamoeba keratitis was induced in Wistar rats by intrastromal inoculation of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites. The clinic features of Acanthamoeba keratitis by day 70 are observed. All rats inoculated with Acanthamoeba developed keratitis. Histologically, the eyes displayed blood vessels, edema, and amoebae in stroma. A mixed cellular response, including neutrophils, mononuclear cells, and spindle-shaped cells, was seen. In conclusion, progressive, suppurative Acanthamoeba keratitis can be induced in the rat cornea model. This rat cornea model assists researchers who study the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis and devise treatment for this difficult condition.

A Rabbit Model of Acanthamoeba Keratitis That Better Reflects the Natural Human Infection

“…The known risk factors of AK are corneal injury, eye surgery (Shmuel et al, 2013;Arance-Gil et al, 2014), and contact lens use (Steiber et al, 2013;Stapleton et al, 2012). The disease is typically chronic and progressive with inflammatory cells infiltrating the corneal stroma (Polat et al, 2007). Early clinical and laboratory diagnosis of AK is crucial to permit early treatment and prevention of irreversible corneal damage (Polat et al, 2007).…”

“…The disease is typically chronic and progressive with inflammatory cells infiltrating the corneal stroma (Polat et al, 2007). Early clinical and laboratory diagnosis of AK is crucial to permit early treatment and prevention of irreversible corneal damage (Polat et al, 2007). Although therapy is usually effective in controlling the disease, optimal treatment can be problematic and relapse occasionally occurs (Siddiqui et al, 2012).…”

Definition of Inflammation, Causes of Inflammation and Possible Anti-inflammatory Strategies

“…An obvious proof that any circulatory mechanism is completely unnecessary for inflammation is its appearance in avascular tissues, e.g. in the cornea [22,23] or in cartilage [24,25]. Looking at the development of experimental stromal keratitis it is obvious that disciform corneal edema might first appear on any part of the cornea, depending on the location of the effect of the irritant applied [22,23].…”

“…in the cornea [22,23] or in cartilage [24,25]. Looking at the development of experimental stromal keratitis it is obvious that disciform corneal edema might first appear on any part of the cornea, depending on the location of the effect of the irritant applied [22,23]. This is in sharp contrast to first appearance of edema on the limbal area with subsequent spread to the corneal center, something one would expect had the edema been generated by changes in the nearest vasculature.…”

The Prevalence, Isolation and Morphotyping of Potentially Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae from Tap Water and Environmental Water Sources in Sivas

“…Previously, it was isolated from many different environment and clinical samples: soil, water, sewage water, tap water, thermal water mud, air, sea water, ear, lung secretions and nasopharyngeal mucosa samples (2,3,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). They are the causative agents of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) (1,(24)(25)(26)(27). In the subsequent years, Acanthamoeba were found to be responsible for some other lesions in eyes, ears, skin and innards (1).…”