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Acanthamoeba T4 and T15 genotypes associated with keratitis infections in Italy

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Abstract

Thus far there is little data available concerning Acanthamoeba associated amoebic keratitis (AK) from Italy. In order to understand the incidence of Acanthamoeba in patients with ocular infections and to characterize the isolates at the molecular level, ocular specimens and contact lenses or lens case solutions from 140 patients were analysed by culture and by an 18S rRNA (Rns) gene-based PCR method. Nineteen (13.6%) patients showed Acanthamoeba culture positive samples. Eleven out of the 14 genetically characterized isolates were assigned to the T4 genotype. Three isolates, two of them from patients with keratitis responding to specific anti-Acanthamoeba therapy, were identified as belonging to the T15 genotype. This finding represents the first association between the T15 genotype and human amoebic keratitis. PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal DNA proved to be a sensitive method, potentially able to detect Acanthamoeba without the need of long culture incubation, and thus considerably useful for clinical applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, Italy

    D. Di Cave & F. Berrilli

  2. Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, Italy

    D. Di Cave & C. D’Orazi

  3. Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health Hygiene Section, University of Bari, P. G. Cesare 11, Bari, Italy

    R. Monno & P. Bottalico

  4. Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, University of Bari, P. G. Cesare 11, Bari, Italy

    S. Guerriero

  5. Department of Public Health Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy

    S. D’Amelio

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  1. D. Di Cave
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  2. R. Monno
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  3. P. Bottalico
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  4. S. Guerriero
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  5. S. D’Amelio
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  6. C. D’Orazi
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  7. F. Berrilli
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Correspondence to F. Berrilli.

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Di Cave, D., Monno, R., Bottalico, P. et al. Acanthamoeba T4 and T15 genotypes associated with keratitis infections in Italy. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 28, 607–612 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-008-0682-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-008-0682-4

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