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Acanthamoeba are
microscopic ameba commonly found in the environment. Several species of Acanthamoeba
have been found to infect humans, A. culbertsoni, A. polyphaga, A.
castellanii,
A. healyi, (A. astronyxis), A. hatchetti, A. rhysodes, and possibly others.
Acanthamoeba spp.
(spp. means several species) are found worldwide. Most commonly, Acanthamoeba
are found in the soil and dust, in fresh water sources such as lakes, rivers,
and hot
springs and in hot tubs. Acanthamoeba may also be found in brackish water
and in sea water. Amebas can also be found in Heating, Venting, and Air
Conditioner units (HVAC), humidifiers,
dialysis units, and contact lens paraphernalia.
Acanthamoeba have been found in the nose and throat of healthy people as
well as those with compromised
immune systems.
Acanthamoeba can enter the skin through a cut, wound, or through the nostrils. Once inside the body, amebas can travel to the lungs and through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, especially the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Through improper storage, handling, and disinfection of contact lenses, Acanthamoeba can enter the eye and cause a serious infection.
There are several ways Acanthamoeba
spp. can affect the body.
Each year, many people are infected with Acanthamoeba. Eye infections
result from contact lens cases becoming contaminated after improper cleaning and
handling. Risk of Acanthamoeba
infection is higher for people who make their own contact lens cleaning
solution. Acanthamoeba enter the eye via contact lenses or through a
corneal cut or sore. Infection or a corneal ulcer results.
In addition, Acanthamoeba spp. can cause skin lesions and/or a systemic
(whole body) infection. Acanthamoeba spp. cause a serious, most often
deadly infection called granulomatous amebic
encephalitis (GAE). Once infected, a person may suffer with headaches, stiff
neck, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, confusion, lack of attention to people and
surroundings, loss of balance and
bodily control, seizures, and hallucinations. Signs and symptoms progresses over
several weeks; death generally occurs.
Infections caused by Acanthamoeba spp. occur more frequently in people with compromised immune systems or those who are chronically ill.
Yes. Eye and skin infections
are generally treatable. Although most cases of brain (CNS) infection with Acanthamoeba
have been fatal, a few however, have recovered from the infection
with proper treatment. Acanthamoeba infections of the brain (CNS) are
almost always fatal.
No cases have ever been reported.
Eye infections may be
prevented by using commercially prepared contact lens cleaning solution rather
than making and using home-made solutions. There is little that can be done to
prevent
skin and body infection.
This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the disease described above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health care provider.
Source CDC
This page last reviewed March 2001