Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41111636›Full record

ReviewMedical hypothesis, discovery & innovation ophthalmology journal2025

Acanthamoeba keratitis: from pathophysiology to prevention, a contemporary clinical perspective.

Pelin Kiyat, Melis Palamar

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation ophthalmology journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Pelin KiyatBuca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital Department of Ophthalmology, Izmir Democracy University, Izmir, Turkiye.
Melis PalamarDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkiye.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Acanthamoeba keratitis represents a devastating corneal infection caused by free-living protozoan organisms. This condition has evolved from an extraordinarily rare disease to a significant public health concern, with increasing global incidence. The infection predominantly affects contact lens wearers and poses substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This narrative review aims to provide analysis of current knowledge regarding Acanthamoeba keratitis, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and prevention methods, to guide clinicians in optimal patient management. Methods: This review was conducted through a literature search of PubMed-indexed journals from January 2000 to August 2025, incorporating current information on pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, therapy, and outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Keywords included "Acanthamoeba keratitis", "contact lens-related keratitis", "Acanthamoeba diagnosis", and "Acanthamoeba treatment". English-language publications including original articles, reviews, case reports, and clinical studies were included based on relevance to current diagnostic and therapeutic practices, with an emphasis on recent advances in the field. Results: Contact lens wearers comprised the vast majority of cases, with soft contact lens users representing the predominant affected population. Peak occurrence involves young adults aged 20-40 years, with water-based transmission through contaminated domestic supplies representing a significant risk pathway. Clinical manifestations commonly include epithelial abnormalities, stromal infiltration, and ring infiltrates in advanced cases. Traditional culture methods evidence limited sensitivity (33-67%), while advanced diagnostic approaches include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) achieving superior accuracy (sensitivity 77-100%, specificity 84-100%). First-line therapy employs biguanides and diamidines with prolonged administration. Advanced treatment options include oral miltefosine for refractory cases, azole antifungals, and surgical interventions ranging from epithelial debridement to corneal transplantation. Early diagnostic recognition represents the strongest predictor of visual recovery, with diagnostic delays associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions: Acanthamoeba keratitis management requires high clinical suspicion, rapid diagnosis using advanced techniques such as IVCM and PCR, and prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Early diagnosis remains the most important predictor of visual recovery. Prevention through proper contact lens hygiene and water exposure avoidance is paramount. Future research priorities include development of novel antimicrobial agents and enhanced prevention strategies

Indexed as

acanthamoeba keratitidesacanthamoebasazoleconfocal microscopycontact lensdiagnosemiltefosinepolymerase chain reactionsroutine diagnostic testsurgical procedure

Identifiers

PMID41111636
PMCPMC12528773

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.