The amphizoic protozoa Acanthamoeba species are able to be free-living amoebae in environment or as parasites in humans and animals. These species comprise nearly 30 species and they have an increased role as human pathogens causing encephalitis in the nervous system or keratitis in the eyes. In diagnosis of a clinical sample of eye contact lens, light microscopy showed a heavy growth of amoebo...

BACKGROUND In this study morphological and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba strains, isolated from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) were surveyed and the levels of disinfection achievable in vitro by the application of ozone disinfectant to DUWLs were evaluate. METHODS Water samples were collected from air-water syringes, cup fillers and tap water before and at the end of the working ...

Background Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is a pathogenic bacterium that causes leprosy. The presence of M. leprae in the environment is supported by microorganisms that act as the new host for M. leprae. Acanthamoeba's potential to be a host of M. leprae in the environment. Acanthamoeba sp. is Free Living Amoeba (FLA) that classified as holozoic, saprophytic, and saprozoic. The existence of ...

To determine the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba spp. isolated in Korea and to develop a isoenzymatic maker, the mortality rate of infected mice, in vitro cytotoxicity against target cells and isoenzyme band patterns were observed. Five isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. (YM-2, YM-3, YM-4, YM-5, and YM-7) were used in this study as well as three reference Acanthamoeba spp. (A. culbertsoni, A. hatchett...

I ntraocular spread of Acanthamoeba after keratitis is rare, being previously documented and microbiologically confirmed in 1 case of chorioretinitis and 1 case of endophthalmitis. Both occurred several months following penetrating keratoplasty (PK), were initially treated as suspected sterile inflammations, did not receive specific oral or intraocular treatment for Acanthamoeba, and finally re...

The DNA sequences required for faithful initiation of ribosomal RNA transcription were determined. BAL-31 digestion was used to modify the rDNA template by introducing deletions from its 3'- and 5'-ends. The resulting mutant DNAs were tested for template activity individually or in competition with wild type utilizing an in vitro transcription system from Acanthamoeba castellanii. The results i...

background: acanthamoeba keratitis (ak) is potentially a sight-threatening infection and its treatment is challenging. this is mainly due to presence of resistant cyst form. indeed, cysts are highly resistant to current available drugs. chemical drugs are toxic to human keratocytes. it should also be mentioned that most available anti- acanthamoeba drugs are poorly cysticidal, in iran and world...

Free-living amoebae of the Acanthamoeba species are the causative agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a sight-threatening corneal infection that causes severe pain and a characteristic ring-shaped corneal infiltrate. Innate immune responses play an important role in resistance against AK. The aim of this study is to determine if Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on corneal epithelial cells are activ...

The nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA (Rns) gene has been used in the last decade to establish genotypes of the genus Acanthamoeba based upon these sequences. In some cases direct sequencing of the Rns gene has resulted in mixed sequences, suggesting either a mixed culture of more than one Acanthamoeba strain or the presence of multiple alleles of this gene in a single Acanthamoeba strain. A ...

The first genus- and subgenus-specific fluorescent oligonucleotide probes for in situ staining of Acanthamoeba are described. Sequences of these phylogeny-based probes complement the 18S rRNA and the gene encoding it (18S rDNA). The genus-specific probe (GSP) is a fluorescein-labeled 22-mer specific for Acanthamoeba as shown here by its hybridization to growing trophozoites of all 12 known Acan...