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Comparison of UVA- and UVA/riboflavin-induced growth inhibition of Acanthamoeba Castellanii

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate whether ultraviolet light (UVA) at 365 nm can inhibit/eliminate Acanthamoeba growth and if riboflavin would potentiate such an association.

Methods

Acanthamoeba castellanii in a fluid medium with a concentration of approximately 1.7 × 104 protozoa/ml were prepared with (0.01 %) and without riboflavin. Exposure of UVA (dose 5.475 J/cm2) took place twice, with each illumination period followed by culturing of 10 μl in peptone yeast-extract glucose (PYG) medium for 7 days. Every suspension prepared had a non-exposed control solution. Determination of Acanthamoeba was conducted daily, by count in Burker chamber days 4 through 7 after exposure. Statistical analysis was done by repeated-measurement ANOVA and post-hoc analysis for unpaired samples.

Results

The exposure of ultraviolet light resulted in an inhibited growth of Acanthamoeba compared to the non-exposed solutions, with a statistically significant reduction over time (p = 0.0003). The addition of riboflavin did not amplify the effect, and there were no tendencies for an interaction effect between UVA and riboflavin.

Conclusions

The antiprotozoal effect of the UVA wavelength, utilized in CXL, is solely mediated by ultraviolet light, and riboflavin does not seem to amplify the antimicrobial efficacy.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support

Örebro University Hospital (Sweden) - Research Funds (D-number: OLL-15781 and OLL-120691)

Conflict of interest

No relationship creating a conflict of interest exists for any author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Örebro University Hospital, 701 85, Örebro, Sweden

    Karim Makdoumi, Jes Mortensen & Sven Crafoord

  2. Clinical Research Centre, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden

    Anders Bäckman

  3. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistic Unit, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden

    Anders Magnuson

  4. School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

    Karim Makdoumi, Anders Bäckman, Anders Magnuson & Sven Crafoord

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  1. Karim Makdoumi
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Correspondence to Karim Makdoumi.

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Makdoumi, K., Bäckman, A., Mortensen, J. et al. Comparison of UVA- and UVA/riboflavin-induced growth inhibition of Acanthamoeba Castellanii . Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251, 509–514 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2176-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2176-4

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