Achromobacter in the Conjunctival Sac Microbiota: Potential Association With Acanthamoeba Keratitis Related to Orthokeratology Lenses.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe infection linked to orthokeratology lens use, whereas the involvement of conjunctival microbiota in AK remains poorly understood. This study investigates microbiota dysbiosis in AK pathogenesis to inform microbiota-based interventions.

Methods

Conjunctival swabs from 14 patients with AK and 10 healthy controls underwent 16S rRNA sequencing. Microbiome analysis compared diversity, taxa, and metabolic pathways. Functional assays quantified Achromobacter-enhanced Acanthamoeba adhesion and migration. Metagenomics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with species-specific probes confirmed endosymbiosis.

Results

Patients with AK showed reduced bacterial diversity compared with the healthy controls (P < 0.001) but simi

SUBMITTER: Shi Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12315931 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature