Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Acanthamoeba keratitis has commonly been identified with in vivo confocal microscopy and confirmed with histologic examination of an epithelial biopsy specimen. OBJECTIVE: To determine if Acanthamoeba keratitis can be verified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of epithelial biopsy specimens. METHODS: RESULTS: Twenty-four of 31 patients with evidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis were positive for Acanthamoeba on PCR analysis using 3 sets of primers. In 22 cases, the sequence obtained closely matched Acanthamoeba castellanii. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that PCR analysis of epithelial biopsy specimens can provide definitive verification of the confocal microscopic and histologic identification of Acanthamoeba organisms associated with keratitis. Acanthamoeba keratitis is probably quite common, especially in contact lens wearers, although more than half of the patients in this study did not wear contact lenses.
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Authors | W D Mathers, S E Nelson, J L Lane, M E Wilson, R C Allen, R Folberg |
Journal | Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
(Arch Ophthalmol)
Vol. 118
Issue 2
Pg. 178-83
(Feb 2000)
ISSN: 0003-9950 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10676782
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- DNA Primers
- DNA, Protozoan
- DNA, Ribosomal
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Topics |
- Acanthamoeba
(genetics)
- Acanthamoeba Keratitis
(diagnosis, parasitology)
- Animals
- Contact Lenses
(adverse effects)
- DNA Primers
(chemistry)
- DNA, Protozoan
(analysis)
- DNA, Ribosomal
(analysis)
- Epithelium, Corneal
(parasitology, pathology)
- Humans
- Microscopy, Confocal
(methods)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
(methods)
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