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Azzopardi M, Chong YJ, Ng B, Recchioni A, Logeswaran A, Ting DSJ. Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Past, Present and Future. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2655. [PMID: 37627913 PMCID: PMC10453105 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13162655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a painful and sight-threatening parasitic corneal infection. In recent years, the incidence of AK has increased. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial during the management of AK, as delayed diagnosis often results in poor clinical outcomes. Currently, AK diagnosis is primarily achieved through a combination of clinical suspicion, microbiological investigations and corneal imaging. Historically, corneal scraping for microbiological culture has been considered to be the gold standard. Despite its technical ease, accessibility and cost-effectiveness, the long diagnostic turnaround time and variably low sensitivity of microbiological culture limit its use as a sole diagnostic test for AK in clinical practice. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic modalities that are currently used to diagnose AK, including microscopy with staining, culture, corneal biopsy, in vivo confocal microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. We also highlight emerging techniques, such as next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence-assisted models, which have the potential to transform the diagnostic landscape of AK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Azzopardi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal London Hospital, London E1 1BB, UK;
| | - Yu Jeat Chong
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK; (B.N.); (A.R.)
| | - Benjamin Ng
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK; (B.N.); (A.R.)
| | - Alberto Recchioni
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK; (B.N.); (A.R.)
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Darren S. J. Ting
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK; (B.N.); (A.R.)
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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Yang Z, Shen B, Yue L, Miao Y, Hu Y, Ouyang R. Application of Nanomaterials to Enhance Polymerase Chain Reaction. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248854. [PMID: 36557991 PMCID: PMC9781713 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most common technologies used to produce millions of copies of targeted nucleic acid in vitro and has become an indispensable technique in molecular biology. However, it suffers from low efficiency and specificity problems, false positive results, and so on. Although many conditions can be optimized to increase PCR yield, such as the magnesium ion concentration, the DNA polymerases, the number of cycles, and so on, they are not all-purpose and the optimization can be case dependent. Nano-sized materials offer a possible solution to improve both the quality and productivity of PCR. In the last two decades, nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention and gradually penetrated the field of life sciences because of their unique chemical and physical properties, such as their large surface area and small size effect, which have greatly promoted developments in life science and technology. Additionally, PCR technology assisted by NPs (NanoPCR) such as gold NPs (Au NPs), quantum dots (QDs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), etc., have been developed to significantly improve the specificity, efficiency, and sensitivity of PCR and to accelerate the PCR reaction process. This review discusses the roles of different types of NPs used to enhance PCR and summarizes their possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Yang
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bei Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lihuan Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuqing Miao
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (R.O.)
| | - Yihong Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (R.O.)
| | - Ruizhuo Ouyang
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (R.O.)
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Reyes-Batlle M, Sifaoui I, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. New Insights in Acanthamoeba. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050609. [PMID: 35631129 PMCID: PMC9146694 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, 38203 Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, 38203 Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, 38203 Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, 38203 Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, 38203 Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Kim MJ, Quan FS, Kong HH, Kim JH, Moon EK. Specific Detection of Acanthamoeba species using Polyclonal Peptide Antibody Targeting the Periplasmic Binding Protein of A. castellanii. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2022; 60:143-147. [PMID: 35500897 PMCID: PMC9058276 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.2.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare ocular disease, but it is a painful and sight-threatening infectious disease. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are necessary to prevent serious complications. While AK is frequently diagnosis via several PCR assays or Acanthamoeba-specific antibodies, a more specific and effective diagnostic method is required. This study described the production of a polyclonal peptide antibody against the periplasmic binding protein (PBP) of A. castellanii and investigated its diagnostic potential. Western blot analysis showed that the PBP antibody specifically reacted with the cell lysates of A. castellanii. However, the PBP antibody did not interact with human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and the other 3 major causative agents of keratitis. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) results revealed the specific detection of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts by PBP antibodies when A. castellanii were co-cultured with HCE cells. PBP antibody specificity was further confirmed by co-culture of A. castellanii trophozoites with F. solani, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa via ICC. The PBP antibody specifically reacted with the trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga, A. hatchetti, A. culbertsoni, A. royreba, and A. healyi, thus demonstrated its genus-specific nature. These results showed that the PBP polyclonal peptide antibody of A. castellanii could specifically detect several species of Acanthamoeba, contributing to the development of an effective antibody-based AK diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jeong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Korea.,Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Hyun-Hee Kong
- Department of Parasitology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Jong-Hyun Kim
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Moon
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Korea
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Efficient nested-PCR-based method development for detection and genotype identification of Acanthamoeba from a small volume of aquatic environmental sample. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21740. [PMID: 34741041 PMCID: PMC8571327 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00968-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. are opportunistic human pathogens that cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and keratitis, and their accurate detection and enumeration in environmental samples is a challenge. In addition, information regarding the genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. using various PCR methods is equally critical. Therefore, considering the diverse niches of habitats, it is necessary to develop an even more efficient genotyping method for Acanthamoeba spp. detection. This study improved the sensitivity of detection to avoid underestimation of Acanthamoeba spp. occurrence in aquatic environmental samples, and to accurately define the pathogenic risk by developing an efficient PCR method. In this study, a new nested genotyping method was established and compared with various PCR-based methods using in silico, lab, and empirical tests. The in silico test showed that many PCR-based methods could not successfully align specific genotypes of Acanthamoeba, except for the newly designed nested PCR and real-time PCR method. Furthermore, 52 water samples from rivers, reservoirs, and a river basin in Taiwan were analysed by six different PCR methods and compared for genotyping and detection efficiency of Acanthamoeba. The newly developed nested-PCR-based method of genotyping was found to be significantly sensitive as it could effectively detect the occurrence of Acanthamoeba spp., which was underestimated by the JDP-PCR method. Additionally, the present results are consistent with previous studies indicating that the high prevalence of Acanthamoeba in the aquatic environment of Taiwan is attributed to the commonly found T4 genotype. Ultimately, we report the development of a small volume procedure, which is a combination of recent genotyping PCR and conventional real-time PCR for enumeration of aquatic Acanthamoeba and acquirement of biologically meaningful genotyping information. We anticipate that the newly developed detection method will contribute to the precise estimation, evaluation, and reduction of the contamination risk of pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp., which is regularly found in the water resources utilised for domestic purposes.
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