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A Rabbit Model of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Use of Infected Soft Contact Lenses After Corneal Epithelium Debridement
Ángel Ortillés1, Pilar Goñi2, Encarnación Rubio2
1Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (i3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain 2Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Purpose:
To develop a rabbit model of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) as the best method to reproduce the natural course of this disease.
Methods:
To induce AK, infected contact lenses (1000 amoebae/mm2, 90% trophozoites) were placed over the previously debrided corneal surface, in combination with a temporary tarsorrhaphy. Environmental and clinical strains of Acanthamoeba spp. (genotype T4) were used. Three groups (1L, n = 32; 2L-21d, n = 5; 2L-3d, n = 23) were established according to the number of contact lenses used (1L, 1 lens; 2L-21d and 2L-3d, 2 lenses) and the placement day of these (1L, day 1; 2L-21d, days 1 and 21; 2L-3d, days 1 and 3). The infection was quantified by a clinical score system and confirmed using corneal cytology and culture, polymerase chain reaction and histopathologic analysis.
Results:
The infection rate obtained was high (1L, 87.5%; 2L-21d, 100%; 2L-3d, 82.6%), although no clinical signs were observed in the 50% of the infected animals in group 1L. Among groups, group 2L-3d showed more cases of moderate and severe infection. Among strains, no statistically significant differences were found in the infection rate. In the control eyes, cross infection was confirmed when a sterile contact lens was placed in the previously debrided corneas but not if the eye remained intact.
Conclusions:
The combination of two infected contact lenses after corneal debridement seems to be an alternative model, clinically and histopathologically similar to its human counterpart, to induce the different AK stages and reproduce the course of the disease in rabbits.
Insights
A new rabbit model effectively replicates Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) by using two infected contact lenses after corneal debridement, mimicking human disease progression for better study.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe eye infection often leading to vision loss.
- Developing reliable animal models is crucial for understanding AK pathogenesis and testing treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a rabbit model that accurately reproduces the natural course of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of different contact lens application protocols in inducing AK in rabbits.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits underwent corneal debridement and received infected contact lenses (Acanthamoeba spp., genotype T4) with varying application schedules.
- Infection was assessed using clinical scoring, corneal cytology, culture, PCR, and histopathology.
- Three experimental groups were defined based on the number and timing of infected lens applications.
Main Results:
- High infection rates were achieved across all groups (82.6%–100%).
- The two-lens, three-day protocol (2L-3d) showed a higher incidence of moderate to severe infections.
- Histopathological analysis confirmed the model's similarity to human AK.
Conclusions:
- The developed rabbit model, particularly the 2L-3d protocol, effectively simulates human Acanthamoeba keratitis.
- This model provides a valuable tool for studying AK pathogenesis and evaluating therapeutic interventions.
