Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Parasitology 2021 Jun 24:1-25. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Investigacion Biosanitaria Ibs, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071Granada, Spain.

Acta Parasitol 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Laboratório de Entomologia e Parasitologia Tropical, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoebas with worldwide distribution and play an important role as disease-causing agents in humans. Drug inability to completely eradicate these parasites along with their toxic effects suggest urgent need for new antimicrobials. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Jun 21;11(1):13007. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.

Infectious keratitis (IK) is the 5th leading cause of blindness globally. Broad-spectrum topical antimicrobial treatment is the current mainstay of treatment for IK, though adjuvant treatment or surgeries are often required in refractory cases of IK. This systematic review aimed to examine the effectiveness and safety of adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for treating IK. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Jun 21;14(6). Epub 2021 Jun 21.

University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Two months following penetrating keratoplasty for keratitis, a 76-year-old man was referred due to inability to wean high-dose topical steroids. Despite a very healthy graft and minimal pain, a scleral abscess involving three clock hours of the superior conjunctiva was present. The patient underwent conjunctival and scleral excision of the area of apparent infection with adjuvant mitomycin C and double freeze-thaw cryotherapy treatment followed by amniotic membrane graft. Read More

Front Microbiol 2021 2;12:648731. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.

The family was the second family of giant viruses that was described in 2013, after the family . , isolated in 2007 by coculture on , is the prototype member of this family. Afterward, the worldwide distribution of marseilleviruses was revealed through their isolation from samples of various types and sources. Read More

Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Acanthamoeba is known to interact with a plethora of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. In these interactions, the amoebae can be predatory in nature, transmission vehicle or an incubator. Amoebae consume microorganisms, especially bacteria, as food source to fulfil their nutritional needs by taking up bacteria through phagocytosis and lysing them in phagolysosomes and hence play an eminent role in the regulation of bacterial density in the nature and accountable for eradication of around 60% of the bacterial population in the environment. Read More

Eur J Protistol 2021 May 28;80:125812. Epub 2021 May 28.

Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.

Several thermal areas, also used for leisure purposes, may represent suitable habitats for free-living amoebae (FLAs), but few studies have been carried out in search for these organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and distribution of FLAs by culture detection and molecular identification, over a one year-round sampling of two sites in Central Italy. Two geothermal springs (Site A and Site B) were investigated for a total of 36 water samples. Read More

J Clin Microbiol 2021 Jun 16:JCM0022821. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Infections caused by , spp., and result in a variety of clinical manifestations in humans. These amoebae are found in water and soil worldwide. Read More

Eur J Ophthalmol 2021 Jun 12:11206721211024827. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rome Campus BioMedico, Rome, Italy.

The red eye is one of the most common cause encountered in ophthalmic practice but a red eye is not always related to eye diseases, instead, it may be a clinical sign of several systemic diseases which may the alarmin signal of sight-threatening or life-threatening condition. Frequently, GPs, pediatricians, immunologists, and rheumatologists are the first landing of patients with a "red eye." This paper is addressed to non-ophthalmic specialists who may be faced with patients having a red eye. Read More

Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021 Jun;10(7):10

Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between Acanthamoeba cysts and inflammatory cells in Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).

Methods: A case-control study included 30 patients with AK and 20 normal controls. The severity of the AK was divided into mild, moderate, and severe. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2021 Jun 6. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Consultant, Cornea and Anterior Segment Services. Electronic address:

Acta Ophthalmol 2021 Jun 6. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Ophthalmology Department, Strasbourg University Hospital, FMTS, Strasbourg, France.

Clin Ophthalmol 2021 28;15:2231-2238. Epub 2021 May 28.

Corneo-Plastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS, East Grinstead, UK.

Objective: To report the outcomes of using human amniotic membrane-derived dry matrix (AMDDM) in the management of persistent corneal epithelial defects (PEDs) of various etiologies.

Methods: A cohort study of 84 patients age range 7 to 92 years with 93 PEDs were treated with AMDDM (Omnigen using OmniLenz at two centers (Queen Victoria Hospital and Maidstone Hospital) in the UK. The main outcome measures were healing response of PED and time to heal after application of AMDDM. Read More

Protein Sci 2021 Jun 2. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus, a complex virus that infects amoeba, was first reported in 2003. It is now known that its DNA genome encodes for nearly 1,000 proteins including enzymes that are required for the biosynthesis of the unusual sugar 4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-d-glucose, also known as d-viosamine. As observed in some bacteria, the pathway for the production of this sugar initiates with a nucleotide-linked sugar, which in the Mimivirus is thought to be UDP-d-glucose. Read More

Pathogens 2021 May 11;10(5). Epub 2021 May 11.

Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38203 Tenerife, Spain.

keratitis (AK), a severe sight-threatening corneal infection, has become a significant medical problem, especially among contact lens wearers. The disease manifests as eye pain, congestion, blurred vision, lachrymation, and ring-shaped infiltrates of the cornea, and can lead to permanent blindness. Inappropriate habits of contact lens users may result in an increased risk of AK infection. Read More

Can J Microbiol 2021 Jun 31;67(6):476-490. Epub 2021 May 31.

Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.

PA23 is a biocontrol agent capable of protecting canola against the fungal pathogen . In addition to producing antifungal compounds, this bacterium synthesizes and accumulates polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers as carbon and energy storage compounds. Because the role of PHA in PA23 physiology is currently unknown, we investigated the impact of this polymer on stress resistance, adherence to surfaces, and interaction with the protozoan predator . Read More

Curr Opin Virol 2021 May 26;49:58-67. Epub 2021 May 26.

Departamento de Virologia, Instituto de Mcirobiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21590-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address:

Although giant viruses have existed for millennia and possibly exerted great evolutionary influence in their environment. Their presence has only been noticed by virologists recently with the discovery of Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus in 2003. Its virion with a diameter of 500 nm and its genome larger than 1 Mpb shattered preconceived standards of what a virus is and triggered world-wide prospection studies. Read More

Acta Trop 2021 Aug 25;220:105981. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Antakya 31060, Turkey.

Acanthamoeba species are free-living amoebae isolated from many ecological areas such as swimming pools, dams, lakes, soil, and air filters. These amoebae are usually causing granulomatous amebic encephalitis and amebic keratitis in immunosuppressive individuals. In this study, the reproductive potential and morphological changes determined of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoite and cyst forms exposed to three different active substances derived from benzothiazole. Read More

Curr Eye Res 2021 May 24. Epub 2021 May 24.

Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.

Purpose: To evaluate whether allergic conjunctivitis (AC) could be induced by excretory-secretory protein (ESP) and analyze the therapeutic effect of resolvin (Rv) D1 and antiallergic agents.

Methods: Human conjunctival epithelial cells (HCVCs) were treated with 10 µg/well of ESP, and Th2 cytokines were measured using real-time PCR. C57BL/6 mice were treated with 10 µg/5 µL of ESP after sensitization, and conjunctivas isolated from the mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for the analysis of eosinophils and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) for the analysis of goblet cells. Read More

Heliyon 2021 May 10;7(5):e06976. Epub 2021 May 10.

School of Allied Health Sciences, Southeast Asia Water Team (SEA Water Team), World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

Plants with medicinal properties have been used in the treatment of several infectious diseases, including infections. The medicinal properties of Cambodian plant extracts; and were investigated against . A total of 39 plant extracts were evaluated and, as a result, 22 extracts showed positive anti- activity. Read More

Mol Microbiol 2021 May 20. Epub 2021 May 20.

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Legionella pneumophila possesses a unique intracellular lifecycle featuring distinct morphological stages that include replicative forms and transmissive cyst forms. Expression of genes associated with virulence traits and cyst morphogenesis is concomitant, and governed by a complex stringent response based-regulatory network and the stationary phase sigma factor RpoS. In Pseudomonas spp. Read More

J Trop Pediatr 2021 05;67(2)

SB Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital, Radiology Department, Istanbul, Turkey.

Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis is a very rare entity with high mortality rate. Its diagnosis is usually delated, and the optimal approach for its treatment is uncertain. In presented case, early diagnosis was made with direct examination of cerebral spinal fluid, and immediate initiation of accurate treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole survived patient. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2021 Jun 16;22:101107. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Aravind Eye Hospital and Post-Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, 641 014, India.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba and fungal infections can be recalcitrant to therapy - more so when the deeper layers of the corneas are involved. We describe the diagnosis and successful management strategies employed in a case of deep keratitis due to co-infection with Acanthamoeba and Cladosporium sp.

Observations: Once the diagnosis of co-infection with both Acanthamoeba and Cladosporium was made, treatment was initiated with a combination of PHMB, chlorhexidine, natamycin, and voriconazole; to which the response was favorable. Read More

Nepal J Ophthalmol 2021 Jan;13(25):133-136

Consultant, Department of Cornea, Kedia Eye Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal.

Introduction: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a serious infection of the cornea which causes severe inflammation of the eye and loss of vision.

Case Description: A 45 years female came with a history of trauma of right eye with vegetative matter with severe pain and redness. Patient was treated with antibacterial, antifungal eye drops but the condition deteriorated. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

2Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González," Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico.

Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) caused by Acanthamoeba is a rare infection with central nervous system (CNS) involvement usually with fatal consequences. Currently, information regarding GAE in children is scarce and is limited only to case reports and case series. A 13-year-old immunocompetent male patient with a 6-month history of progressive and intermittent headaches presented to our institution. Read More

Parasitology 2021 May 10:1-9. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat80160, Thailand.

Cassia angustifolia Vahl. plant is used for many therapeutic purposes, for example, in people with constipation, skin diseases, including helminthic and parasitic infections. In our study, we demonstrated an amoebicidal activity of C. Read More

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021 May 19:1-15. Epub 2021 May 19.

Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

: encompasses several species of free-living ameba encountered commonly throughout the environment. Unfortunately, these species of ameba can cause opportunistic infections that result in keratitis, granulomatous amebic encephalitis, and occasionally systemic infection.: This review discusses relevant literature found through PubMed and Google scholar published as of January 2021. Read More

Parasitol Res 2021 Jun 30;120(6):2057-2064. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

CHLAREAS, 12, rue du Maconnais, F-54500, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.

Group 1 acanthamoebae are morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from all other Acanthamoeba species. They include five species, each labelled by its genotype: A. astronyxis (T7), A. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 19;22(8). Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.

Leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and acanthamoebiasis are protozoan parasitic infections. They remain important contributors to the development of kidney disease, which is associated with increased patients' morbidity and mortality. Kidney injury mechanisms are not fully understood in protozoan parasitic diseases, bringing major difficulties to specific therapeutic interventions. Read More

Pathogens 2021 Apr 19;10(4). Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain.

Ameobae belonging to the genus are responsible for the human diseases Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The treatment of these illnesses is hampered by the existence of a resistance stage (cysts). In an attempt to add new agents that are effective against trophozoites and cysts, tea tree oil (TTO) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), separately and in combination, were tested In Vitro against two isolates, T3 and T4 genotypes. Read More