Abstract
Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba produce a progressive, blinding infection of the corneal surface. The pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis involves parasite-mediated cytolysis and phagocytosis of corneal epithelial cells and induction of programmed cell death. Acanthamoeba spp. elaborate a variety of proteases which may facilitate cytolysis of the corneal epithelium, invasion of the extracellular matrix, and dissolution of the corneal stromal matrix.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 437-443 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Microbes and Infection |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1999 |
Keywords
- Amoeba
- Cornea
- Keratitis
- Ocular
- Pathogenesis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases