Experimental Keratitis by Acanthamoeba polyphaga

Author(s): Azhar FJ, Muslim AM

The current study reported the presence of a species of amoeba belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba is A. polyphaga recording for the first time in Iraq, this species classified depending on morphological features of cyst phase. 33 samples were isolated from environmental source, including rivers and soils in Basra province, 18 of these samples were positive for genus Acanthamoeba and 2 were positive to Acanthamoeba polyphaga. We used non nutrient agar to growth the amoeba and incubation in 37C. This study showed the ability of A. polyphaga to infected rats with keratitis through 14 days by applying 105 trophozoites for each rat. A. Polyphaga causing inflammation and severe necrosis in cornea stroma, spread amoeba has been noted in tissue section of rats eyes infected.

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