Korean J Parasitol.  2006 Dec;44(4):313-320. 10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.313.

Molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated from amebic keratitis related to orthokeratology lens overnight wear

• Lee SJ
• Jeong HJ
• Lee JE
• Lee JS
• Xuan YH
• Kong HH
• Chung DI
• Ock MS
• Yu HS

• KMID: 1088763
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.313

Abstract

In an effort to characterize, on the molecular scale, the Acanthamoeba initially isolated from the cornea of an amoebic keratitis patient associated with overnight-wear orthokeratology lens in Korea, we conducted mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism, 18S rDNA sequencing, and drug sensitivity analyses on the isolate (KA/PE1). The patient was treated with polyhexamethylene biguanide, chlorhexidine and oral itraconazole, which resulted in resolution of the patient's ocular inflammation. The majority of the molecular characteristics of the KA/PE1 were determined to be identical, or quite similar, to those of A. castellanii Ma strain, which had been isolated also from amoebic keratitis. The risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis as a potential complication of overnight orthokeratology is briefly discussed.

Keyword

Acanthamoeba castellanii Ma; orthokeratology; amoebic keratitis; polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB); 18S rDNA sequence analysis

MeSH Terms

*Sequence Analysis, DNA
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
Myopia/therapy
Itraconazole/administration & dosage
Humans
Female
Disinfectants/administration & dosage
DNA, Ribosomal/analysis
DNA, Protozoan/analysis
DNA, Mitochondrial/analysis
Contact Lenses/*adverse effects
Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage
Biguanides/administration & dosage
Astigmatism/therapy
Antiprotozoal Agents/administration & dosage
Animals
Adolescent
Acanthamoeba Keratitis/drug therapy/*parasitology
Acanthamoeba/classification/*genetics/*isolation & purification