Evaluation of pathogenic factors and adherence of Acanthamoeba spp. to scleral contact lenses

• Grant number: 20/11340-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Denise de Freitas
• Grantee: Denise de Freitas
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Luisa Höfling-Lima ; José Alvaro Pereira Gomes ; Maria Cecilia Zorat Yu

Abstract

The increase of contact lens (CL) wearers resulted in a significantly higher number of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) cases. AK is a serious corneal infection whose etiologic agent is the protozoan Acanthamoeba spp. The mechanism of amoeba adherence to the CL is associated with its pathogenesis in keratitis and it is influenced by several factors, such as the CL material and inappropriate use and care of these lenses. It is already proven that species of the genus Acanthamoeba spp. can adhere to the surface of a wide variety of lenses, however, there are no reports in the literature on the adherence of these amoebae to the surface of scleral contact lenses (SCL) although cases of keratitis associated with the use of these lenses have been reported. In this way, this study aims to verify if different isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. can adhere to SCL surfaces that received a superficial treatment with Plasma O2 or Plasma O2 + Hydra-PEG, which aims to prolong the lubricity of the eyes and reduce the number of deposits on the lenses, since this mechanism has not yet been explored in the world literature, and also investigate whether adhesion to the surface of SCL can be influenced by the design of these lenses. In addition, to evaluate the potential pathogens of the isolates in question, verifying if there is any correlation of pathogenicity with adhesion to the surface of contact lenses. (AU)