Abstract
Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoebae genus which is present worldwide in natural and artificial environments. These amoebae are clinically important as causative agents of diseases in humans and other animals such as a fatal encephalitis or a sight threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Lately; studies have focused on the search of novel therapeutic options for AK but also to prevent infections. Furthermore; the evaluation of commercialized products seems to be an option for this case since not clinical assays would be required. Thus; we aimed to test the amoebicidal activity of different mixtures of two commercial ophthalmic solutions: Systane® Ultra; which has already shown anti-Acanthamoeba properties; and Naviblef® Daily Care. In addition, we tested their cytotoxic effect against murine macrophages. At the individual level; Naviblef® Daily Care showed to be the most active product against Acanthamoeba spp. Nevertheless; the combinations of Systane® Ultra and Naviblef® Daily Care; showed an improvement in the activity against trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff. Moreover; the concentration necessary to generate cytotoxic effect against murine macrophages (J774.1) was much higher than the required for the amoebicidal and cysticidal effect achieved in the most effective mixtures.
Highlights
Acanthamoeba is a widely distributed protozoa which has been isolated from many sources such as soil, water, contact lenses, air-conditioning units, clinical samples among others [1,2]
In a mixture of Systane® Ultra and Naviblef® Daily Care, the maximum concentration of Systane® Ultra showed an increased value of the inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) against A. castellanii Neff trophozoites (Figure 3A), and this effect is higher against A. castellanii Neff cysts (Figure 3B)
Naviblef® Daily Care is a non-greasy and non-irritant formulation and it is recommended to be used as maintenance care, for patients that have followed the blepharitis treatment with Naviblef®
Summary
Acanthamoeba is a widely distributed protozoa which has been isolated from many sources such as soil, water, contact lenses, air-conditioning units, clinical samples among others [1,2]. At the early stage of infection, AK presents symptoms such as eye redness, epithelial defects, photophobia and intense pain, but if no early and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment is performed, it could end in blindness or even in eye removal [2,3,4,5]. Voriconazole has been demonstrated to be effective against clinical strains of Acanthamoeba [9,10] and has been successfully used in a clinical case of AK in Spain [11]. One of the main problems on AK recovery is the ability of Acanthamoeba to form an extremely resistant cyst phase. The need for efficient therapies against the trophozoite form and to this resistant stage is evident
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
