Acanthamoeba keratitis: clinical characteristics and management

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe microbial infection of the cornea.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical features of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in 260 eyes over a 22-year period.
• To identify predisposing risk factors and characteristic clinical presentations of AK.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 260 AK cases diagnosed via smear, culture, or laser confocal microscopy.
• Data collected included patient demographics, risk factors, clinical signs, treatments, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Ocular trauma (53.1%) and contact lens wear (29.8%) were the most common risk factors.
• Most cases (77.8%) presented at an advanced stage.
• Salt-like dense infiltrate dots (85.6%) and groove-shaped corneal melting (61.1%) were frequent findings.

Conclusions:

• Salt-like dense infiltrate dots and groove-shaped corneal melting are valuable diagnostic indicators for AK.
• Radial neuritis and ring infiltration are also important diagnostic signs.
• Some AK patients may experience a temporary worsening of symptoms before gradual improvement with treatment.