Killing acanthamoebae with polyaminopropyl biguanide: quantitation and kinetics.

Abstract

The two Acanthamoeba species most often implicated in corneal keratitis, A. castellanii and A. polyphaga, were exposed as cysts to polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB), a commonly used antimicrobial agent. Killing of amoeba cysts was rapid and extensive, with fewer than 2% of either species surviving 30 s of exposure to > or = 45 ppm of PAPB. Killing kinetics were biphasic, and further exposures of 15 min to 1 h killed greater than 90% of those surviving initial killing. This potency of PAPB, together with its low toxicity to humans when ingested or applied topically, underscores the potential of PAPB as an antiamoebic agent.

• Authors: R M Burger, R J Franco, K Drlica
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 38 Issue 4 Pg. 886-8 (Apr 1994) ISSN: 0066-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8031066 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biguanides
• polyaminopropylbiguanide

Topics

• Acanthamoeba (drug effects)
• Animals
• Biguanides (pharmacology)
• Kinetics
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests