The genotypic characterisation of Acanthamoeba isolates from human ocular samples.

Yera, H; Zamfir, O; Bourcier, T; Viscogliosi, E; Noël, C; Dupouy-Camet, J; Chaumeil, C · Br J Ophthalmol · 2008

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Abstract

We characterised 37 amoebae cultured from corneal scrapings, contact lenses or lens case solutions of patients with suspected Acanthamoeba keratitis. 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. The 37 isolates comprised 35 Acanthamoeba, one Hartmannella and one Vahlkampfia. Ten Acanthamoeba isolates were shown to be responsible for keratitis. Genotype T4 was the only Acanthamoeba genotype responsible for keratitis in this study, and represented 79% of non-pathogenic isolates.

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