Acanthamoebiasis is a rare infectious disease caused by free-living amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba. Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) and amebic keratitis (AK). They also have been associated with cutaneous lesions and sinusitis in individuals with compromised immune systems. Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment, including soil, water and air. Entry can occur through the eye, the nasal passages, or ulcerated or broken skin.
Category
Parasitic infectious disease
Brite
Human diseases in ICD-11 classification [BR:br08403]
01 Certain infectious or parasitic diseases
Parasitic diseases
Nonintestinal protozoal diseases
1F50 Acanthamoebiasis
H02401 Acanthamoebiasis
Genome-based classification of infectious diseases [BR:br08401]
Parasitic infections (protists)
Infections caused by Amoebozoa
H02401 Acanthamoebiasis
Pathogen
Acanthamoeba spp.
Comment
The most commonly isolated strain of Acanthamoeba from patients with GAE and AK is genotype T4. Acanthamoeba acts as a host and vector for many pathogenic microorganisms.
