Acanthamoeba—a free-living almost-invisible to-eye amoeba—is responsible for spreading rare infections affecting the eye, skin, and central nervous system. The pathogen is found in water and soil around the world. The ameba can spread through contact lens use, skin wounds, and cuts or can reach the lungs through inhalation. Even though many people are exposed to this am0eba, only a few get affected. Here is all one should know about infection caused by acanthamoeba:

Types of infection
The single-celled organism can cause the following types of diseases:

Acanthamoeba keratitis: Here, the eyes develop corneal ulcers, and one can experience vision impairment. If the condition worsens, one may experience permanent vision damage. Although rare, the condition can cause permanent vision loss.

Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE): This is a serious infection that attacks the central nervous system of the body. GAE is more prevalent among people with conditions like immunodeficiency, malnutrition, malignancies, and diabetes.

Disseminated infection: This is a widespread infection that can infect the lungs, skin, sinuses, and other parts of your body together or at the same time. People with low immunity are more likely to contract such infections.

Causes and risk factors
Acanthamoeba can spread to the eyes, skin, and lungs if one comes into contact with contaminated water. A few sources of such infection could be

• Swimming pools and lakes may have contaminated water, and exposure to such water can allow acanthamoeba to enter the eyes or the skin via a cut.
• The use of contact lenses increases the risk of acanthamoeba keratitis. If one does not clean their lenses with a disinfectant solution designed for the purpose, they are more likely to contract the infection. According to a report, almost 85% of people in the country with acanthamoeba keratitis are contact lens users.
• A history of trauma to the cornea also increases the risk of infection.

One should also avoid washing their contact lenses with tap water. Storing the lenses in a clean lens solution is important to prevent eye infections. Taking a shower or a bath while wearing contacts can also increase the risk of infection.

Symptoms
One may experience varying symptoms depending on the type of infection. When dealing with acanthamoeba keratitis, one can experience

• Severe pain in the eyes
• Redness in the eyes
• Eyesight-related issues like blurred vision or vision loss
• High sensitivity to light
• A sensation of something in the eye
• Watery eyes

Those with disseminated infection may experience the following symptoms:

• Redness and ulcers, along with abscesses in the skin
• Inflammation of the lungs and sinuses

Here, the infection can reach the brain, requiring immediate medical attention. If one is dealing with GAE, they may experience the following signs:

• Sudden fever
• Loss of balance and control
• Difficulty carrying out physical activities or partial paralysis affecting one side of the body
• Double vision

While such infections are rare, if one notices one or more signs of the disease, they should consult a doctor immediately. Timely detection and treatment can help one recover from the infection.

Management options
While treatment for acanthamoeba infection can be difficult, early detection can help relieve symptoms and prevent further complications. The common treatment options for this disease are:

Prescriptions: Here, topical treatment options can help fight harmful microorganisms. Doctors can recommend various combinations of prescriptions to treat acanthamoeba keratitis. They may prescribe eyedrops to help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with the infection. The treatment can last six months to a year to completely get rid of the amoeba. As the organism can be resistant to treatments, one should be in close contact with the doctor and opt for regular check-ups.

Surgery: Doctors can recommend surgical procedures if prescription treatment does not work. Here, a corneal transplant is carried out to replace the damaged cornea with a healthy one. The new cornea usually comes from a suitable donor. This option is recommended for severe cases of acanthamoeba keratitis. For example – the perforated corneas must be operated on as early as possible. The patients must follow post-op instructions and schedule follow-ups to ensure everything is in order.

Many people are exposed to acanthamoeba, but only a few get infected or sick. Even among contact lens wearers, the incidence of eye infection caused by the amoeba is rare. Regardless, one should practice good hygiene and storage while wearing contact lenses. Further, avoiding washing the lenses with tap water can help lower the risk of such an infection. One should consult a doctor if they notice any signs of acanthamoeba infection to get timely treatment and prevent further complications.