An update on Acanthamoeba keratitis: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are causal agents of a severe sight-threatening infection of the cornea known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. Moreover, the number of reported cases worldwide is increasing year after year, mostly in contact lens wearers, although cases have also been reported in non-contact lens wearers. Interestingly, Acanthamoeba keratitis has remained significant, despite our advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. In part, this is due to an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disease, diagnostic delays and problems associated with chemotherapeutic interventions. In view of the devastating nature of this disease, here we…

• UD
  Universidad de La Laguna
• MD
  Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social
• BC
  British Council for Prevention of Blindness
• MD
  Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad
• ID
  Instituto de Salud Carlos III