Acanthamoeba keratitis - A six year epidemiological review from a tertiary care eye hospital in South India

PURPOSE: This study analyses the prevalence, demography, predisposing factors and seasonal variation of Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases presenting with keratitis at the cornea clinic, Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore, from August 1997 to July 2003, was done for screening patients with a provisional diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Their records were further analyzed for microbiological details. Cases with culture proven Acanthamoeba keratitis were included for epidemiological analysis. RESULTS: From a total of 4519 patients who attended cornea clinic 32 (33 eyes) patients were confirmed to be positive for Acanthamoeba keratitis. Twenty cases (62.5%) were males. Majority (18; 54.2%) of the Acanthamoeba keratitis eyes reported corneal trauma by solid objects. No peak period was observed in a year, as the number of cases was almost uniform in all months. CONCLUSION: This study indicates the increasing prevalence of Acanthamoeba keratitis among non-contact lens users in this region during the 6-year period.