Should Veterinary Practitioners Be Concerned about Acanthamoeba Keratitis?

Cooper, Elise; Cowmeadow, William; Elsheikha, Hany M.

doi:10.3390/parasitologia1010002

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Opportunistic Acanthamoeba spp. are geographically widespread and locally live in diverse environmental substances, including soil, water reservoirs, and even hospitals (Geisen et al 2014 ; Cooper et al 2021 ). Although Acanthamoeba spp.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, these species also have veterinary significance, as their presence is proven in animals, including dogs, cats, pigs, horses, rabbits, birds, amphibians, and reptiles (Siddiqui and Khan 2012 ). They may also have clinical significance in some animals, since conjunctival swabs of birds, dogs, and cats contained these protozoa (Cooper et al 2021 ); however, in cats with keratitis, screening their corneal scrapings also proved to be effective (Ledbetter et al 2021 ). Interestingly, in a study Acanthamoeba sp.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular evidence of Monocercomonas and Acanthamoeba in the feces of captive reptiles

et al. 2022

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Reptiles are frequently kept as pet animals. They are considered as important reservoirs of protozoa with veterinary-medical significance. At a reptile farm in Ireland, fecal samples were collected from 98 captive reptiles, representing 43 species of three orders (Squamata, Testudines, and Crocodylia). After DNA extraction, all samples were screened by conventional PCRs, targeting the ribosomal small subunit (SSU) RNA and alpha-tubulin genes of trichomonads and SSU RNA gene of Acanthamoeba spp. One leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) was positive for a not yet reported species/genotype of the genus Monocercomonas, different from M. colubrorum. Various Acanthamoeba genotypes were detected in six reptilian species, i.e., Acanthamoeba genotype T11 in Eunectes notaeus and Heloderma suspectum/horridum; genotype T4 in Varanus exanthematicus, Chlamydosaurus kingii, and Macrochelys temminckii; and the genotype T13 in Iguana iguana. Some of these amoeba species might have clinicopathological significance in both humans and animals. Our findings highlight the importance to monitor pathogenic protozoa in pet as well as wildlife reptiles, as a source of possible infection for animals and humans living nearby.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular evidence of Monocercomonas and Acanthamoeba in the feces of captive reptiles

et al. 2022

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“…[29][30][31]. Furthermore, reports of keratitis due to Acanthamoeba have been described in animals; however, prospective studies are warranted to comprehend the prevalence of amoebae in animals [32].…”

Section: Acanthamoeba In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The animals were kept near prairie dogs that were sold as pets before any infection was observed. It is likely that many of these animals interacted with and came across Acanthamoeba routinely, given the ubiquitous nature of these amoebae and their omnipresence in the environment [32]. Furthermore, it is plausible that Acanthamoeba may be a part of the microbiome of animals, given its presence in diverse environments and the complexity of microbial isolates that have been recovered from amoebae via metagenomic techniques [53].…”

Section: The Role Of "One Health" In Monkeypox Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Acanthamoeba Harbor Monkeypox Virus?

et al. 2023

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Acanthamoeba is well known to host a variety of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and yeast. Given the recent number of cases of monkeypox infection, we speculate that amoebae may be aiding viral transmission to the susceptible hosts. Although there is no confirmatory evidence to suggest that Acanthamoeba is a host to monkeypox (a double-stranded DNA virus), the recent discovery of mimivirus (another double-stranded DNA virus) from Acanthamoeba, suggests that amoebae may shelter monkeypox virus. Furthermore, given the possible spread of monkeypox virus from animals to humans during an earlier outbreak, which came about after patients came in contact with prairie dogs, it is likely that animals may also act as mixing vessel between ubiquitously distributed Acanthamoeba and monkeypox virus, in addition to the environmental habitat that acts as an interface in complex interactions between diverse microorganisms and the host.

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“…are single-celled free-living amoebae found in almost all terrestrial biomes, hot springs in the Antarctic, estuaries, beaches, ocean sediment, dust, air, and both fresh and saltwater ecosystems, as well as sewage and aquaria [1][2][3][4]. Transmission between humans has not yet been reported; however, there have been many incidences of infection in different animal species with potential impact on public health [5]. Acanthamoeba spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis and Management of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A Continental Approach

Bouten

Elsheikha

2022

Parasitologia

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Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a potentially blinding infection caused by protozoa found worldwide. The topical application of biguanides and diamidines is the most common anti-amoebic treatment for AK. In this study, we hypothesized that geographical location and socioeconomic status influence the management and treatment of AK. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed case reports and series of Acanthamoeba eye infections from different geographic regions to evaluate the association between diagnosis, treatment, and outcome worldwide. This study looked specifically at case reports of patients with diagnosed AK using bibliographic databases such as PubMed, BioMed Central, and Google Scholar, which were searched between 30 April 1990 and 1 May 2022. The search identified 38 eligible studies that provided data for 60 clinical cases of AK. The results indicated that current standard treatments are effective if the infection is identified early and that delays can lead to clinical symptoms, including permanent visual opacities. There was evidence suggesting an association between the treatment regimen practiced in certain geographic regions and treatment outcome. Patient access to medical facilities and economic background also had an influence on the treatment and outcome of AK. Further analysis of more case reports can expand our understanding of the influence of specific demographic and individual patient characteristics on the effectiveness and accessibility of AK medicines. Additionally, using a living systematic review approach to incorporate emerging evidence will reveal the relative merits of different treatment regimens for AK and outcomes.

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Should Veterinary Practitioners Be Concerned about Acanthamoeba Keratitis?

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

Molecular evidence of Monocercomonas and Acanthamoeba in the feces of captive reptiles

Molecular evidence of Monocercomonas and Acanthamoeba in the feces of captive reptiles

Can Acanthamoeba Harbor Monkeypox Virus?

Diagnosis and Management of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A Continental Approach

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