ISOLATION OF ACANTHAMOEBA SPP. FROM CONTACT LENS IMPEDIMENTA OF HEALTHY CONTACT LENS WEARERS IN SHAH ALAM

Abstract

Acanthamoeba spp. is a type of free-living-amoeba (FLA) that is omnipresent in nature but it can also be the contaminant of contact lens along with its paraphernalia, tap water, chlorinated swimming pool water and also air-conditioning system. With the upsurge in the number of contact lens wearers in Malaysia and low compliance towards contact lens maintenance, it is pertinent that this parasite could inhabits contact lens impedimenta and subsequently be a potential conduit to loss of vision to the users. Hence, this study is conducted prior to isolating Acanthamoeba spp. from contact lens, contact lens solution and contact lens case of healthy contact lens wearers via in vitro cultivation protocol. The aforementioned specimens were swabbed with sterile cotton swabs and cultured on non-nutrient agars supplemented with thermal-inactivated Escherichia coli. Then, positive samples were stained using iodine stain, methylene blue stain as well as trichrome stain and observed under a compound microscope. Of the 150 samples from 50 respondents, 20% of contact lens samples, 16% of contact lens solution samples, and 22% of contact lens case samples were positive for Acanthamoeba spp. It was also found that 100% of the positive contact lens samples were extended wear soft contact lens type. The isolates are predominantly Group II and are medically important. Fail to soak contact lens with enzymatic tablet (p=0.002) was found to be the paramount non-compliance practice that engender contamination by Acanthamoeba spp. followed by rinsing with saline (p=0.007).

Keywords: Acanthamoeba spp., healthy contact lens wearers, contact lens, contact lens solution, contact lens case.