Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Author Spotlight: Studying Behavior of Acanthamoeba to Develop Targeted Strategies for Preventing Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Published on: September 20, 2024
Insights Into the Genetic Diversity of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A Clinical and Molecular Study
Vinil K Kavya1, Lakshmipathy Dhanurekha1, Ramachandran Abirami1
1L&T Microbiology Research Centre, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Purpose:
To characterize Acanthamoeba isolates from patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) at the subgenotypic level, and to determine the distribution of genotypes and subgenotypes associated with clinical infections.
Methods:
Corneal scrapings from clinically diagnosed patients with AK were subjected to molecular genotyping. DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Sequencing data were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA X software to determine species, genotypes, and subgenotypes.
Results:
Eight species of Acanthamoeba were identified: Acanthamoeba castellanii (38%), Acanthamoeba culbertsoni (25%), Acanthamoeba polyphaga (13%), Acanthamoeba hatchetti (6%), Acanthamoeba triangularis (6%), Acanthamoeba jacobsi (6%), Acanthamoeba healyi (3%), and Acanthamoeba spp. (3%). Genotypic analysis revealed 4 major genotypes: T4 (72%), T10 (19%), T12 (3%), and T15 (6%). The predominant T4 genotype was further classified into 5 subgenotypes: T4A, T4B, T4C, T4D, and T4F.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba in AK cases, with a predominance of the T4 genotype and its subgenotypes. Subgenotypic classification provides enhanced resolution in molecular epidemiology and may contribute to understanding pathogenicity and clinical outcomes in AK.
Related Concept Videos
Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Genetic Variation
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
Diversity of Protists IV
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Diversity of Protists II
Modern Molecular Taxonomy

