Epidemiology of and genetic factors associated with Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Tools

Ilyas, Muhammad and Stapleton, Fiona and Willcox, Mark D.P. and Henriquez, Fiona and Peguda, Hari Kumar and Rayamajhee, Binod and Zahid, Tasbiha and Petsoglou, Constantinos and Carnt, Nicole A. (2024) Epidemiology of and genetic factors associated with Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Pathogens, 13 (2). 142. ISSN 2076-0817 (https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020142)

[thumbnail of Ilyas-etal-2024-Epidemiology-of-and-genetic-factors-associated-with-Acanthamoeba-Keratitis]
Preview
 Text. Filename: Ilyas-etal-2024-Epidemiology-of-and-genetic-factors-associated-with-Acanthamoeba-Keratitis.pdf
Final Published Version
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 logo
Download (980kB)| Preview

Abstract

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe, rare protozoal infection of the cornea. Acanthamoeba can survive in diverse habitats and at extreme temperatures. AK is mostly seen in contact lens wearers whose lenses have become contaminated or who have a history of water exposure, and in those without contact lens wear who have experienced recent eye trauma involving contaminated soil or water. Infection usually results in severe eye pain, photophobia, inflammation, and corneal epithelial defects. The pathophysiology of this infection is multifactorial, including the production of cytotoxic proteases by Acanthamoeba that degrades the corneal epithelial basement membrane and induces the death of ocular surface cells, resulting in degradation of the collagen-rich corneal stroma. AK can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, which includes avoiding water contact, such as swimming or showering in contact lenses, and wearing protective goggles when working on the land. AK is mostly treated with an antimicrobial therapy of biguanides alone or in combination with diaminidines, although the commercial availability of these medicines is variable. Other than anti-amoeba therapies, targeting host immune pathways in Acanthamoeba disease may lead to the development of vaccines or antibody therapeutics which could transform the management of AK.

ORCID iDs

Ilyas, Muhammad, Stapleton, Fiona, Willcox, Mark D.P., Henriquez, Fiona ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5534-1019, Peguda, Hari Kumar, Rayamajhee, Binod, Zahid, Tasbiha, Petsoglou, Constantinos and Carnt, Nicole A.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)