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Published on: April 25, 2025
Two cases of acanthamoeba keratitis diagnosed only by real-time polymerase chain reaction
Michiko Kandori1, Tomoyuki Inoue, Fumihiko Takamatsu
1Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan.
Purpose:
To report 2 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis whose causative pathogen was detected only by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Methods:
Histological examinations of corneal scrapings were stained with Fungiflora Y. Corneal scrapings were also cultured on nonnutrient agar. Real-time PCR analyses of corneal scrapings were also performed.
Results:
Both cases had clinical signs and risk factors of Acanthamoeba infection. Histological examinations of corneal scrapings with Fungiflora Y staining were negative, and the cultures did not grow any pathogens. Real-time PCR analysis was positive for Acanthamoeba DNA from 2 corneal scrapings. Antiamoebic treatments led to excellent clinical improvements.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that PCR analyses can detect the DNA of Acanthamoeba in corneal scrapings and may be a valuable supplemental examination. This method is especially helpful when clinical signs and risk factors of Acanthamoeba infection are present but histological examinations with Fungiflora Y staining and cultures are negative.
