Acanthamoeba Keratitis and Acanthamoeba Conjunctivitis: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Acanthamoeba species are significant causes of microbial keratitis, a serious eye infection.
• Risk factors traditionally include contact lens wear and eye trauma, but non-traditional cases are increasingly reported.

Observation:

• A pediatric case of Acanthamoeba conjunctivitis occurred without contact lens wear or trauma.
• An adult case of Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by A. castellani (T2 genotype), presented with severe symptoms and contact lens history.
• The adult patient developed a cataract post-treatment, leading to persistent visual impairment.

Findings:

• Acanthamoeba can cause severe ocular infections like keratitis and conjunctivitis in diverse patient populations.
• The study highlights that Acanthamoeba infections should be considered even in the absence of typical risk factors such as contact lens wear or trauma.
• Laboratory identification is key for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of Acanthamoeba eye infections.

Implications:

• Ophthalmologists should maintain a high index of suspicion for Acanthamoeba infections, regardless of patient history.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis and conjunctivitis is vital to prevent vision loss.
• Further research into non-traditional risk factors and treatment strategies for Acanthamoeba eye infections is warranted.