What are the symptoms of Acanthamoeba infection?

The symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis can be very similar to the symptoms of other more common eye infections. The symptoms, which can last several weeks to months, are not the same for everybody and might include:

• Eye pain
• Eye redness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensation of something in the eye
• Excessive tearing

Eye infection with Acanthamoeba has never been known to cause infections in other parts of the body.

Acanthamoeba can also cause skin lesions and/or disseminated disease. These infections usually occur in people with compromised immune systems. Acanthamoeba can cause a serious, most often deadly, infection of the brain and spinal cord called Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE). Once infected, a person may suffer with headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures, and hallucinations. Symptoms progress over several weeks and death usually occurs. Skin infections do not necessarily lead to disseminated disease.

Who is at risk for infection with Acanthamoeba?

Although infection is very rare, people who wear contact lenses are at increased risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis. Practices among contact lens users that increase the risk of getting Acanthamoeba keratitis include:

• Improper storage and handling of lenses
• Improper disinfection of lenses (such as using tap water or homemade solutions to clean the lenses)
• Swimming, using a hot tub, or showering while wearing lenses
• Coming into contact with contaminated water
• Having a history of trauma to the cornea

Skin or disseminated disease caused by Acanthamoeba occurs more frequently in people with compromised immune systems or those who are chronically ill.