Two cases of acanthamoeba keratitis diagnosed only by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report 2 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis whose causative pathogen was detected only by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

METHODS:

Histological examinations of corneal scrapings were stained with Fungiflora Y. Corneal scrapings were also cultured on nonnutrient agar. Real-time PCR analyses of corneal scrapings were also performed.

RESULTS:

Both cases had clinical signs and risk factors of Acanthamoeba infection. Histological examinations of corneal scrapings with Fungiflora Y staining were negative, and the cultures did not grow any pathogens. Real-time PCR analysis was positive for Acanthamoeba DNA from 2 corneal scrapings. Antiamoebic treatments led to excellent clinical improvements.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that PCR analyses can detect the DNA of Acanthamoeba in corneal scrapings and may be a valuable supplemental examination. This method is especially helpful when clinical signs and risk factors of Acanthamoeba infection are present but histological examinations with Fungiflora Y staining and cultures are negative.

• Authors: Michiko Kandori, Tomoyuki Inoue, Fumihiko Takamatsu, Yoshinao Kojima, Yuichi Hori, Naoyuki Maeda, Yasuo Tano
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 228-31 (Feb 2010) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19770722 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA, Protozoan

Topics

• Acanthamoeba (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis (diagnosis, parasitology)
• Adult
• Animals
• Cornea (parasitology)
• DNA, Protozoan (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Risk Factors
• Visual Acuity