2008 OMIG, Abstract 17

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Is the Epidemic of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Over?
David Ritterband MD, Wilma Perez BS, John Seedor MD, Richard Koplin MD
Departments of Ophthalmology and Laboratory Medicine The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

Purpose: To update the continued increase of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (NYEEI) in 2008.
Methods: Retrospective consecutive case series of all eyes diagnosed with AK from January 2005-August 2008. 
Results: 38 eyes of 38 patients have been diagnosed with AK since 2005. Two patients were diagnosed in 2005, 8 patients in 2006, 18 patients in 2007 and 10 patients so far this year in 2008. 17 new cases of AK have been reported since our last report of 21 cases in August of 2007.  Of these 17 new cases, 15 were in contact lens users and two were secondary to trauma. 14 of the 17 new cases had positive AK cultures and 12 of 17 had positive confocal microscopy results. 2 of 17 had negative cultures but were diagnosed by confocal microscopy and one eye was diagnosed by pathology of the infected cornea button. Of the 10 new cases in 2008, 9 were in contact lens wearers and one was related to trauma. Five patients were using ReNu MultiplusÒ, 2 patients were using Alcon OPTI-FREEÒ RepleniSHÒ, 2 were using AMO CompleteÒMPS EasyRub™ and one was still using AMO CompleteÒMoistureplus™ (recalled May 2007). The CDC report of 14 ophthalmology centers (CDC contact Jonathan Yoder) of which NYEEI is a member, reports a decreased incidence of AK in 2008 as compared to 2007.
Conclusions: Our Acanthamoeba outbreak that began in October of 2006 nearly 12-18 months after those reported in Philadelphia and Chicago continues into 2008 despite the CDC report. Corneal culture and confocal microscopy seem to be very effective modes of detection.

Disclosure Code: N