Cure For Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

Introduction: Amoeba are free-living, eukaryotic single cell opportunistic pathogens which are found in sea water, fresh water and soil. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a corneal infection caused by Acanthamoeba, a genus of Amoeba. Acanthamoeba can occur in two forms, a trophozoite and a dormant cyst which is resistant to stress. The organism spreads infection as a trophozoite by its transient attachment to the corneal epithelium of an individual wearing contact lenses, invading the stroma by abrasion which in turn causes inflammation resulting into opacity of cornea and precipitates cellular infiltration. Nearly 90% of the people suffering from this disease have a history of contact lens and were exposed to the organism via swimming in public pools or being exposed to fresh water. Clinical investigations have been reported that also show evidences of biofilm production of various microorganisms. It has been found that treating patients with antibiotics or corticosteroidal drugs have no effects as the patients suffer from severity of the disease. Infections due to the biofilms of pathogenic microorganisms have developed strong resistance against various antibiotics.

Experimental aims:

1. Inhibition of fatty-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) synthesis from the cultured organisms. Treating infection with the substrate analogs of fatty acyl homoserine lactone (catechin) by in vitro in microorganisms and in vivo studies in C. elegans (organisms grown by plating technique) that occupies the substrate binding sites or inhibiting the acyl homoserine lactone precursor protein resulting into disruption of cell signaling which ultimately prevents tissue damage and inflammation. Confirmatory tests performed by AHL extraction and its addition to cultures to see its effect on QS inhibited organisms.
2. Triglyceride salts as anti-Acanthamoeba agents. Cultivating trophozoites and cysts with trophozoite and cyst formation growth medium respectively. Exposing cultures to triglycerides salts prepared by gravimetric determination, using fatty acids, glycerol, potassium hydroxide pellets and water. This will result into disruption of cell membrane of amoeba leading to cell death.
3. Targeting amoebic movement and measuring chemotactic activity by Arachidonic acid. Toxic substances such as trimethyltin (TMT) can inhibit chemotaxis of amoeba by developing concentration gradients of folic acid (FA), cAMP, Ca2+, and Mg2+ which can be monitored by computer assisted techniques. Inhibition of chemotaxis can be studied by arachidonic acid as a chemoattractant. Motility can be checked by glass capillary technique. Reduction in motility will cause disruption in invasion of stroma.

Significance: Although enough care must be taken, contact lenses have many advantages over eye glasses such as they allow natural view, do not obstruct and reduce distortions. They are favorable for sport activities and do not get foggy or splattered in rain and individuals with medical indications. Hence targeting corneal infections caused by them can be helpful to people who prefer contact lens over glasses.