Abstract
In an exploration of the acanthamoebic aetiology of chronic keratitis cases (not responding to antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal therapy), 138 Sudanese patients were seen over a 2-year period at two teaching eye hospitals in Khartoum State. Six (4.3%) of these patients were found to be suffering from Acanthamoeba keratitis. The present study focuses on the good outcome of oral ketoconazole in four patients at 18 months follow up period. The drug oral route, convenient frequency of doses, minimal side effects and availability at reasonable price favour ketoconazole therapy. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2006: 34-36
Highlights
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is infection of the human eye cornea by the free-living protozoan Acanthamoeba[1,2]
Subjects and Methods: Over a 2-year period (2003-2005), 138 patients suffering from chronic keratitis were seen at Khartoum Eye Hospital and El Walidain Eye Hospital, Omdurman
Right eye swab was positive for Acanthamoeba by culture method
Summary
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is infection of the human eye cornea by the free-living protozoan Acanthamoeba[1,2]. AK is a recognized cause of blindness in man. The first cases of AK were reported in 19743. The main risk factors associated with AK are eye trauma and contact lens wear[4,5]. Patients typically suffer from a triad of severe ocular pain, photophobia and a unilateral red eye. Laboratory confirmation of AK is usually made by microscopy examination of wet mounts of a corneal swab/scraping or by culture of the same type of specimens in nonnutrient agar seeded with Escherichia coli bacteria[6,7]
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