| Autor: |
Ilyas M; Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department, Punjab 54000, Pakistan., Stapleton F; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia., Willcox MDP; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia., Henriquez F; School of Health and Life Sciences, The University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow G72 0LH, UK., Peguda HK; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia., Rayamajhee B; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia., Zahid T; Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department, Punjab 54000, Pakistan., Petsoglou C; Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia., Carnt NA; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.; Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia. |
| Abstrakt: |
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe, rare protozoal infection of the cornea. Acanthamoeba can survive in diverse habitats and at extreme temperatures. AK is mostly seen in contact lens wearers whose lenses have become contaminated or who have a history of water exposure, and in those without contact lens wear who have experienced recent eye trauma involving contaminated soil or water. Infection usually results in severe eye pain, photophobia, inflammation, and corneal epithelial defects. The pathophysiology of this infection is multifactorial, including the production of cytotoxic proteases by Acanthamoeba that degrades the corneal epithelial basement membrane and induces the death of ocular surface cells, resulting in degradation of the collagen-rich corneal stroma. AK can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, which includes avoiding water contact, such as swimming or showering in contact lenses, and wearing protective goggles when working on the land. AK is mostly treated with an antimicrobial therapy of biguanides alone or in combination with diaminidines, although the commercial availability of these medicines is variable. Other than anti-amoeba therapies, targeting host immune pathways in Acanthamoeba disease may lead to the development of vaccines or antibody therapeutics which could transform the management of AK. |
