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Genotypic identification of Acanthamoeba sp. isolates associated with an outbreak of acanthamoeba keratitis

Gregory C Booton1, Charlotte E Joslin, Megan Shoff

  • 1Departments of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology and daggerMolecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. booton.1@osu.edu

Cornea
|June 11, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The current Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) outbreak is not caused by a new pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotype. Increased AK incidence may stem from changes in municipal water treatment, promoting bacterial growth and Acanthamoeba proliferation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a serious eye infection.
  • Recent increases in AK cases have raised public health concerns.
  • The cause of this surge, whether a new pathogen or environmental factors, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic makeup of Acanthamoeba isolates from recent AK cases.
  • To determine if a novel, more virulent Acanthamoeba genotype is responsible for the outbreak.
  • To explore the potential role of municipal water treatment changes in the rising AK incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence analysis of the 18S ribosomal DNA from 15 Acanthamoeba isolates obtained from AK patients.
  • Genotyping of Acanthamoeba strains to identify specific genotypes.
  • Comparison of current isolates' genotypes with previously identified AK-associated genotypes.

Main Results:

  • The majority of isolates (87%) belonged to the T4 genotype, while 13% were genotype T3.
  • Both T4 and T3 genotypes have been previously identified in AK cases.
  • No novel or previously unobserved Acanthamoeba genotypes were found in the outbreak isolates.

Conclusions:

  • The current AK outbreak is not linked to a new or more pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotype.
  • Findings support the hypothesis that altered municipal water treatment may be a contributing factor.
  • Changes in water treatment could lead to increased bacterial colonization, favoring Acanthamoeba proliferation and subsequent AK cases.

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