Comparison of Usefulness of Laboratory Diagnosis in Ancanthamoeba Keratitis.

Hahn, Tae Won; Hahn, Young Ho

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1998;39(10):2218-2225.
Published online October 1, 1998.

Comparison of Usefulness of Laboratory Diagnosis in Ancanthamoeba Keratitis.

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Kangnam St. Mary`s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Kosin.

아칸토아메바 각막염에서 실험실적 진단방법의 유용성 비교

한태원(Tae Won Hahn),한영호(Young Ho Hahn)

Abstract

Laboratory diagnostic methods, applied for the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis, were evaluated for their usefulness in 16 patients of suspicious Acanthamoeba keratitis. Wet smear, Acridine orange(AO) stain, Gram stain and culture on nonnuturent agar plate were routinely used in all patients, and among them, and used saline of 7 contact lens not ideal for the corneal scraping specimens. AO and Gram stains were very useful in the identification of acanthamoeba, and culture on nonnutrient agar plates was essential to confirm this infection. Light and electron microscopic examinations were also useful in patients with negative results of ordinary diagnostic techniques. Suspicion of Acanthamoeba infection in patients that are recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment or related to contact lens wear, is the mont important step for the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis. And also examination of corneal specimens by experienced observer is prerequisite for the accurate diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Key Words: Acanthamoeba Keratitis;Acridine orange stain;Gram stain;Nonnutrient agar