<i>Acanthamoeba </i>Keratitis and Contact Lens Disinfecting Solutions

Vol. 220, No. 4, 2006

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Original Paper

Acanthamoeba Keratitis and Contact Lens Disinfecting Solutions
K. Tzanetou^a, D. Miltsakakis^b, D. Droutsas^c, S. Alimisi^b, D. Petropoulou^a, G. Ganteris^a, E. Dolapsaki^a, N. Markomichelakis^b, I. Mallias^c, E. Malamou-Lada^a

^aMicrobiology Laboratory and
^bDepartment of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Athens 'G. Gennimatas', and
^cDepartment of Ophthalmology, Athens University, Athens, Greece

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2006;220:238-241 (DOI: 10.1159/000093077)

Key Words

Acanthamoeba keratitis
Contact lens disinfecting solutions

Abstract

Objectives: To report cases of culture-proved Acanthamoeba keratitis in Greece over a 10-year period and to evaluate the effectiveness of the commonly used commercial contact lens disinfecting systems in clinical cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Material and Methods: During the years1994-2004, 45 contact lens wearers and 3 non-contact lens wearers presenting with symptoms and signs of keratitis underwent corneal sampling. The scrapings obtained were inoculated directly onto appropriate culture media for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba. All proved positive for Acanthamoeba. The contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions (16 one-step 3% hydrogen peroxide and 3 multipurpose solutions) of 19/45 patients with culture-proven Acanthamoeba keratitis were cultured for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba.Results:Acanthamoeba was isolated from contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions in all 19 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis studied. Conclusions: The main risk factorfor corneal infection in contact lens wearers isthe use of contact lens disinfecting systems ineffective at killing Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites, as well as bacteria and fungi. Improvement or development of new contact lens disinfecting systems by manufacturers is needed to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis

Author Contacts

K. Tzanetou
'G. Gennimatas' General Hospital of Athens
GR-156 69, Athens (Greece)
Tel. +30 210 778 8185, Fax +30 210 775 7211
E-Mail ktzane@otenet.gr

Article Information

Received: November 11, 2005
Accepted: November 25, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 20

Medline Abstract (ID 16785754)

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