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BMC Ophthalmology
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Associated factors, diagnosis and management of Acanthamoeba keratitis in a referral Center in Southern China

Authors: Jing Zhong, Xingyi Li, Yuqing Deng, Ling Chen, Shiyou Zhou, Weilan Huang, Shiqi Lin, Jin Yuan

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

To analyse the associated factors, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and therapeutic effects of Acanthamoeba keratitis at a tertiary ophthalmic centre in Southern China.

Methods

A retrospective clinical study was performed in fifteen patients who were admitted to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre (ZOC) from January 2004 to December 2014. The patients’ pathogenesis-associated factors were analysed, and preoperative diagnoses were determined using corneal scraping cultures and/or confocal microscopy followed. All diagnoses were confirmed by postoperative pathological examinations. At follow-up, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the recurrence rate and graft transparency were evaluated to assess therapeutic effects.

Results

The main pathogenic factors observed in the fifteen patients were a history of injury or a foreign body entering the eyes (12 cases). In all, Acanthamoeba keratitis was preoperatively diagnosed in 5 cases using corneal scraping cultures or confocal microscopy. Ocular symptoms included redness, photophobia, tearing, and blurred vision. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in thirteen patients, and postoperative pathological examinations were performed to confirm these diagnoses. The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) of visual acuity was significantly improved after keratoplasty (p < 0.01). No recurrence was observed, and approximately 90% of the corneal grafts were found to be transparent during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

Corneal trauma may be the main pathogenic factor that causes Acanthamoeba keratitis in southern China. Corneal scraping combined with confocal microscopy was helpful for achieving a correct diagnosis. Early keratoplasty combined with amoebicidal therapy is an effective treatment strategy in Acanthamoeba keratitis.
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Metadata
Title
Associated factors, diagnosis and management of Acanthamoeba keratitis in a referral Center in Southern China
Authors
Jing Zhong
Xingyi Li
Yuqing Deng
Ling Chen
Shiyou Zhou
Weilan Huang
Shiqi Lin
Jin Yuan
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-017-0571-7

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