Acanthamoeba keratitis successfully treated medically. 1985

P Wright, and D Warhurst, and B R Jones

The first medical cure of a corneal infection due to an Acanthamoeba species is reported. The 44-year-old patient developed a suppurative keratitis associated with an epithelial defect, hypopyon, and secondary glaucoma. Acanthamoeba was confirmed as the causative agent four months after presentation when positive cultures were obtained from the cornea and from the conjunctiva. Sensitivity studies of the isolated organism were performed, and the infection was successfully controlled by treatment with a combination of dibromopropamidine and propamidine isethionate ointment and drops and neomycin drops. Keratoplasty was performed 22 months after onset, and no viable acanthamoebae were present in the resected tissue, though possible cyst remnants were identified by immunofluorescent techniques.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007634 Keratitis Inflammation of the cornea. Keratitides
D003228 Conjunctiva The mucous membrane that covers the posterior surface of the eyelids and the anterior pericorneal surface of the eyeball. Bulbar Conjunctiva,Palpebral Conjunctiva,Plica Semilunaris of Conjunctiva,Plicae Semilunares of Conjunctiva,Tunica Conjunctiva,Conjunctiva, Bulbar,Conjunctiva, Palpebral,Conjunctivas
D003315 Cornea The transparent anterior portion of the fibrous coat of the eye consisting of five layers: stratified squamous CORNEAL EPITHELIUM; BOWMAN MEMBRANE; CORNEAL STROMA; DESCEMET MEMBRANE; and mesenchymal CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM. It serves as the first refracting medium of the eye. It is structurally continuous with the SCLERA, avascular, receiving its nourishment by permeation through spaces between the lamellae, and is innervated by the ophthalmic division of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE via the ciliary nerves and those of the surrounding conjunctiva which together form plexuses. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Corneas
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000562 Amebiasis Infection with any of various amebae. It is an asymptomatic carrier state in most individuals, but diseases ranging from chronic, mild diarrhea to fulminant dysentery may occur. Abscess, Amebic,Acanthamebiasis,Ameboma,Amoebiasis,Iodamoebiasis,Acanthamoeba Infection,Balamuthia Infection,Abscesses, Amebic,Acanthamebiases,Acanthamoeba Infections,Amebiases,Amebic Abscess,Amebic Abscesses,Amoebiases,Balamuthia Infections,Infection, Acanthamoeba,Infection, Balamuthia,Iodamoebiases
D000656 Amoeba A genus of ameboid protozoa. Characteristics include a vesicular nucleus and the formation of several PSEUDOPODIA, one of which is dominant at a given time. Reproduction occurs asexually by binary fission. Ameba
D001550 Benzamidines Amidines substituted with a benzene group. Benzamidine and its derivatives are known as peptidase inhibitors.

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