Acanthamoeba - Keratitis and Encephalitis

Acanthamoeba is a free living amoebae, which is widespread in the environment. Acanthamoeba is one of the most common protozoa and exists mainly in the soil, but can also be found in fresh water and other habitats. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause disease, including amebnog keratitis and encephalitis. Acanthamoeba has two stages in the life cycle, an active trophozoite stage and the cyst stage of sleep. Acanthamoeba played an active trophozoite stage and remains inactive with little metabolic activity during sleep cyst stage. It can remain viable for years at rest.

Acanthamoeba is recognized as a cause of serious human infections, including sight-threatening keratitis (called Acanthamoeba keratitis), terijetka, but fatal encephalitis, known as amebnog granulomatous encephalitis. Several different amoebae can cause granulomatous encephalitis, including Acanthamoeba , Balamuthia mandrillaris and Sappinia diploidea and possibly other amoebae. full extent of the impact on human health of keratitis and encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba is not fully understood. Recently there has been increasing interest in Acanthamoeba by the scientific and medical communities. However, much remains to be studied concerning the pathogenesis and pathophysiology Acanthamoeba , and molecular aspects of virulence traits Acanthamoeba . Research in these areas can be identified as potential targets for therapeutic or preventive measures. In recent years there has been an increased number of Acanthamoeba infections, particularly infections in immunocompromised patients and contact lens wearers.

is considered to be Acanthamoeba can play an important role in ecosystems. Moreover Acanthamoeba is known to act as host or reservoir for microbial pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and other fungi.