Detection of bacterial endosymbionts in clinical acanthamoeba isolates.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine the presence of 4 clinically relevant bacterial endosymbionts in Acanthamoeba isolates obtained from patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and the possible contribution of endosymbionts to the pathogenesis of AK.

Design

Experimental study.

Participants

Acanthamoeba isolates (N = 37) recovered from the cornea and contact lens paraphernalia of 23 patients with culture-proven AK and 1 environmental isolate.

Methods

Acanthamoeba isolates were evaluated for the presence of microbial endosymbionts belonging to the bacterial genera Legionella, Pseudomonas, Mycobacterium, and Chlamydia using molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization) and transmission electron microscopy. Corneal to

SUBMITTER: Iovieno A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2830310 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature