Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Mashhad, Northeastern Iran: A Gene-Based PCR Assay.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The genus Acanthamoeba is a free-living opportunistic protozoan parasite, which widely distributed in soil and fresh water. Acanthamoeba keratitis, which causes a sight-threating infection of the cornea, is going to rise in Iran and worldwide. The aim of this study was to compare direct microscopy, culture and PCR for detection of Acanthamoeba spp. in clinical samples and to determine the genotypes of Acanthamoeba spp. by sequencing 18SrRNA gene.

Methods

Among patients clinically suspected to AK referred to a tertiary ophthalmology center at Mashhad, northeastern Iran. During 2017-18, twenty corneal scrapes specimens obtained. The samples were divided into three parts, subjected to direct microscopic examination, culture o

SUBMITTER: Khosravinia N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7988675 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature