Evaluation of effective treatment drugs against Acanthamoeba cyst

Abstract

Cysts of 2 isolates of Acanthamoeba from the cornea of 2 patients with confirmed Acanthamoeba keratitis were tested in vitro for sensitivity to antimycotic agents such as fluconazole, miconazole, amphotericin-B, pimaricin, antiprotozoal agents such as pentamidine isetionate and antiseptics which could be use in the ophthamological region. Pimaricin was the most successful cysticidal agent against the two strains. Sensitivity to pentamidine isetionate showed variation. Fluconazole, miconazole and amphotericin-B were resistant against cysts with concentration of eye drops that have been used in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. It was supposed that 5% pimaricin eye drops could be use in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis in addition to keratomycosis. Pentamidine isetionate which belong to the diamidine family, is not yet clear as to the side effects to corneal epithelium cell, but we believe that this drug could be expected as a new therapeutic agent for Acanthamoeba keratitis.