Treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis combined with fungal infection with polyhexamethylene biguanide.

Abstract

From July 1996 to March 1997, three cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis combined with fungal infection were diagnosed and treated at our ophthalmic department. Specimens from all of these cases were obtained by corneal scraping, keratectomy and anterior chamber paracentesis. The diagnosis was confirmed by either the results of smear test or pathology reports. All of these patients received aggressive treatment with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02%, fluconazole, and anegyn eye drops. After the infection had been controlled without extension, therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was performed on all of these patients despite the existence of infiltration beyond the edge of the graft. Postoperatively, eye drops were tapered gradually, and treatment was continued for 1 to 2 months. All three cases achieved good results and there was no recurrence of infection. Two cases had visual acuity of 20/100 and 20/20, while the other one perceived hand movement only due to later graft rejection. These cases suggest that early diagnosis and immediate use of PHMB and anti-fungal agents are effective in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis combined with fungal infection.