Sodium Metabisulfite Inhibits Acanthamoeba Trophozoite Growth through Thiamine Depletion.

ABSTRACT: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe infection of the cornea. Prevention and treatment are difficult due to the inefficacy of currently available compounds. The impact of many commonly used compounds for routine examinations of Acanthamoeba is unexplored but might offer insight useful in combatting AK. In this study, we demonstrate that sodium metabisulfite, a common preservation constituent of eye care solutions, was found to be active against Acanthamoeba trophozoites at concentrations lower than that commonly found in eye drops (IC₅₀ 0.03 mg/mL). We demonstrate that sodium metabisulfite depletes thiamine from growth medium and that Acanthamoeba is a thiamine auxotroph, requiring thiamine salvage for growth. The inhibitory effects of sodium metab

SUBMITTER: Mooney R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11206890 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature