Acanthamoeba spp. Secrete a Mannose-Induced Protein that Correlates with Ability to Cause Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Acanthamoeba spp. are ubiquitously distributed in the environment. The trophozoite form can infect the cornea and cause sight-threatening corneal inflammation known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. The pathogenic cascade of Acanthamoeba keratitis begins when Acanthamoebae bind to mannose expressed on traumatized corneas. Published reports indicate that mannose is upregulated on the corneal surface during wound healing. Experiments in laboratory animals have shown that corneal abrasion prior to infection is essential for generating Acanthamoeba keratitis. Furthermore, supernatants from Acanthamoeba
Eye Infections, Parasitic, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Protozoan Proteins
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
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