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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:1139-1141 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.132266
  • Original Article
    • Laboratory science

The genotypic characterisation of Acanthamoeba isolates from human ocular samples

  1. H Yera1,
  2. O Zamfir2,
  3. T Bourcier3,
  4. E Viscogliosi4,
  5. C Noël5,
  6. J Dupouy-Camet1,
  7. C Chaumeil2
  1. 1
    Laboratoire de Parasitologie Mycologie, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
  2. 2
    Laboratoire, Centre Hospitalier National d’Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France
  3. 3
    Service 5, Centre Hospitalier National d’Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France
  4. 4
    Inserm, U547, Institut Pasteur, Lille, France
  5. 5
    School of Biology, Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, UK
  1. Dr H Yera, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Mycologie, Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France; helene.yera{at}cch.aphp.fr
  • Accepted 10 April 2008
  • Published Online First 27 June 2008

Abstract

Background: We characterised 37 amoebae cultured from corneal scrapings, contact lenses or lens case solutions of patients with suspected Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Methods: The isolates were identified by their morphology and by PCR targeting the Acanthamoeba nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene. Acanthamoeba isolates were genotyped by DNA sequence analysis.

Results: The 37 isolates comprised 35 Acanthamoeba, one Hartmannella and one Vahlkampfia. Ten Acanthamoeba isolates were shown to be responsible for keratitis.

Conclusion: Genotype T4 was the only Acanthamoeba genotype responsible for keratitis in this study, and represented 79% of non-pathogenic isolates.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

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