A study on Acanthamoeba keratitis in a tertiary eye care centre South Kerala, India

Abstract

Introduction: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a potentially devastating disease is caused by free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba . The number of reported cases worldwide is increasing year after year, mostly in contact lens wearers as also in non-contact lens wearers. Interestingly, AK has remained significant due to an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disease, diagnostic delays and problems associated with chemotherapeutic interventions. Corneal blindness is a major public health problem worldwide and infectious keratitis is one of the predominant causes. Aim: To find out the Parasitic Etiological Agents in Suppurative Keratitis at a tertiary eye care referral centre in South India. Materials and Methods: A hospital based study was done on total of 350 cases of keratitis, during the period from January 2013 to December 2013 .The samples were examined as wet mount as well as cultured onto Non nutrient agar with E.coli overlay. Result: Acanthamoeba species were isolated from 314 cases. Most of the corneal ulcers responded well to treatment which was started early in their course due to early detection of the parasite by direct microscopy and confirmation by culture. Keywords: Acanthamoeba spp, Etiological Agents, Suppurative keratitis.