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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, February 2000, p. 826-829, Vol. 38, No. 2
0095-1137/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Unusual Case of Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis in a Contact Lens Wearer from Gauteng, South Africa

L. A. Dini,1,* C. Cockinos,2 J. A. Frean,1 I. A. Niszl,3 and M. B. Markus3

Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand,1 and Department of Opthalmology2 and Parasitology Research Programme,3 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Received 22 July 1999/Returned for modification 28 September 1999/Accepted 19 November 1999

Acanthamoeba species can cause a chronic, progressive ulcerative keratitis of the eye which is not responsive to the usual antimicrobial therapy and is frequently mistaken for stromal herpes keratitis. An unusual case of coinfection with Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as causes of corneal keratitis in a contact lens wearer from Gauteng, South Africa, is reported. These two pathogens have previously been assumed to be selectively exclusive. Cysts of the isolated acanthameba tolerated an incubation temperature of 40°C, indicating a pathogenic species. This case highlights the importance of culture methods in the diagnosis of corneal infection and the choice of treatment regimen. The patient's history of careless contact lens-disinfecting habits emphasizes the need to adhere strictly to recommended methods of contact lens care.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Box 1038, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa. Phone: 27 11 489-9342. Fax: 27 11 489-9357. E-mail: leigh_dini{at}hotmail.com.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, February 2000, p. 826-829, Vol. 38, No. 2
0095-1137/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Walochnik, J., Haller-Schober, E.-M., Kölli, H., Picher, O., Obwaller, A., Aspöck, H. (2000). Discrimination between Clinically Relevant and Nonrelevant Acanthamoeba Strains Isolated from Contact Lens- Wearing Keratitis Patients in Austria. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 3932-3936 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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