Susceptibility of Acanthamoeba to soft contact lens disinfection systems.

Abstract

Members of the genus Acanthamoeba are increasingly recognized as agents of indolent, chronic, infectious keratitis. Recently, Acanthamoeba corneal infection has been reported in some persons who wear soft contact lenses. In this study, three "heat" and three "cold" soft contact lens disinfection systems were tested according to the manufacturers' instructions against Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba polyphaga in separate trials, and with appropriate controls. Suspensions of Acanthamoeba cysts or trophozoites of each species were tested individually. Each of the three heat disinfection units killed all acanthamoebae in one cycle in all trials. A chlorhexidine 0.005%/thimerosal 0.001% solution killed A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts, but those of A. polyphaga survived. Trophozoites and cysts of both species survived an alkyl triethanol ammonium chloride 0.013%/thimerosal 0.002% solution and a hydrogen peroxide 3% preparation. Heat disinfection overall appears to be more effective in killing Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts as compared to cold disinfection methods.

• Authors: I H Ludwig, D M Meisler, I Rutherford, F E Bican, R H Langston, G S Visvesvara
• Journal: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci) Vol. 27 Issue 4 Pg. 626-8 (Apr 1986) ISSN: 0146-0404 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3957582 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Disinfectants
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
• Thimerosal
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Chlorhexidine

Topics

• Amoeba (drug effects)
• Chlorhexidine (pharmacology)
• Cold Temperature
• Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic
• Disinfectants (pharmacology)
• Disinfection
• Hot Temperature
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (pharmacology)
• Keratitis (prevention & control)
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (pharmacology)
• Sterilization
• Thimerosal (pharmacology)