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Susceptibility of Acanthamoeba to cryotherapeutic method
Abstract:
Acanthamoeba keratitis is becoming an increasingly well-known clinical entity. The Acanthamoeba species in their encysted state are resistant to antimicrobial agents, resulting in corneal infections that are refractory to medical therapy. Corneal cryotherapy has been used to treat Acanthamoeba keratitis with varying and equivocal success. We subjected trophozoites and cysts of two species of Acanthamoeba recovered from corneal infections to trials of in vitro freeze-thaw-refreeze cryotherapeutic methods. The trophozoites of both species were killed in all trials. However, the cysts of both species survived all trials. Cryotherapy may not be an effective means to eliminate Acanthamoeba cysts from the cornea.
Insights
Cryotherapy trials show it effectively kills Acanthamoeba trophozoites but fails to eliminate resistant cysts. This suggests cryotherapy may not be a viable treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis caused by cysts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acanthamoeba keratitis is an emerging corneal infection.
- Acanthamoeba cysts are resistant to antimicrobial treatments, leading to therapy-refractory infections.
- Corneal cryotherapy has shown variable success in treating Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of in vitro cryotherapy against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts.
- To determine if freeze-thaw-refreeze methods can eliminate Acanthamoeba from corneal infections.
Main Methods:
- Trophozoites and cysts from two Acanthamoeba species, isolated from corneal infections, were subjected to in vitro cryotherapy.
- Freeze-thaw-refreeze cycles were employed as the cryotherapeutic method.
Main Results:
- All Acanthamoeba trophozoites were killed in every cryotherapy trial.
- Acanthamoeba cysts from both species survived all tested cryotherapy methods.
Conclusions:
- Cryotherapy effectively eradicates Acanthamoeba trophozoites.
- Cryotherapy is ineffective against Acanthamoeba cysts.
- Cryotherapy may not be a suitable treatment for eliminating Acanthamoeba cysts in the cornea.