Question

1. Disease / Medical Condition about the Acanthamoeba?
2. How do humans contract this disease Acanthamoeba (i.e. how is it transmitted)?
3. Acanthamoeba Signs and symptoms of disease:
4. Describe the course of this disease the Acanthamoeba (incubation period, different body systems impacted, how disease progresses in body)?
5. Acanthamoeba Type of parasite (bacteria, protozoan, helminth, insect, fungus, virus):
6. Scientific name of Acanthamoeba parasite (genus and species):
7. How can this infection be prevented?

Answer 1

Medical Condition about the Acanthamoeba

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious infection of the eye that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. This infection is caused by a microscopic, free-living ameba (single-celled living organism) called Acanthamoeba. Acanthamoeba causes Acanthamoeba keratitis when it infects the transparent outer covering of the eye called the cornea. Acanthamoeba amebas are very common in nature and can be found in bodies of water (for example, lakes and oceans), soil, and air.

How do humans contract this disease Acanthamoeba

For people who wear contact lenses, certain practices can increase the risk of getting Acanthamoeba keratitis:

• Storing and handling lenses improperly
• Disinfecting lenses improperly (such as using tap water or topping off solutions when cleaning the lenses or lens case)
• Swimming, using a hot tub, or showering while wearing lenses
• Coming into contact with contaminated water
• Having a history of trauma to the cornea

Acanthamoeba Signs and symptoms of disease:

keratitis varies greatly from person to person. Affected individuals may complain of:

• Eye pain
• Eye redness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensation of something in the eye
• Excessive tearing

How can this infection be prevented

All contact lens users should follow these guidline to help reduce the risk of Acanthamoeba

• Visit your eye care provider for regular eye examinations.
• Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care provider.
• Remove contact lenses before any activity involving contact with water, including showering, using a hot tub, or swimming.
• Wash hands with soap and water and dry before handling contact lenses.
• Clean contact lenses according to instructions from your eye care provider and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  1. Never reuse or top off old solution. Use fresh cleaning or disinfecting solution each time lenses are cleaned and stored.
  2. Never use saline solution or rewetting drops to disinfect lenses. Neither solution is an effective or approved disinfectant.
  3. Be sure to clean, rub, and rinse your lenses each time you remove your lenses. Rubbing and rinsing your contact lenses will aid in removing harmful microbes and residues.
• Store reusable lenses in the proper storage case.
  1. Storage cases should be rubbed and rinsed with sterile contact lens solution (never use tap water), emptied, and left open to dry after each use.
  2. Replace storage cases at least once every three months.

Scientific name of Acanthamoeba parasite

Genus:Acanthamoebae

Species: amoebae