Treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis by corneal cross-linking.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy of corneal cross-linking (CXL; riboflavin/ultraviolet A) as a simple therapy for Acanthamoeba keratitis.

METHODS:

Twenty rabbits were systemically anesthetized and the stroma of their right corneas was inoculated with a suspension of Acanthamoeba. Rabbits were divided into 2 groups: one group was treated with corneal CXL 3 days after infection and the other did not receive any treatment (control). All eyes in both groups were examined before (days 0 and 3) and after (day 7) CXL treatment. On day 7, the eyes were enucleated; 18 corneal buttons (9 of each group) were sent for microbiological examination and 2 (1 of each group) for histopathologic examination.

RESULTS:

All animals developed Acanthamoeba keratitis. There was no statistically significant difference between groups before treatment (day 0, P = 1, and day 3, P = 0.684). The treated corneas had a higher score (3.48 ± 0.30) at the time of enucleation compared with control corneas (2.60 ± 0.26). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.008). Microbiological analysis revealed that the treated corneas had a higher protozoal count (2.86 ± 0.09) compared with the control corneas (2.18 ± 0.07); this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis by corneal CXL (riboflavin/ultraviolet A) did not prove effective in decreasing the intensity and severity of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

• Authors: Martín Berra, Gustavo Galperín, Gabriela Boscaro, Jorge Zarate, Julia Tau, Pablo Chiaradia, Alejandro Berra
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 32 Issue 2 Pg. 174-8 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22929160 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cross-Linking Reagents
• Photosensitizing Agents
• Collagen
• Riboflavin

Topics

• Acanthamoeba Keratitis (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Animals
• Collagen (metabolism)
• Corneal Stroma (metabolism)
• Cross-Linking Reagents (therapeutic use)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Rabbits
• Riboflavin (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultraviolet Rays