Paper II
Question
Which of the following parasites causes keratitis.
Answer
- [x] a) Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba species are the well-recognized free-living amoebae causing keratitis (Acanthamoeba keratitis), classically associated with contact lens wear (particularly poor lens hygiene or exposure to contaminated water while wearing lenses), presenting with severe pain disproportionate to clinical signs and a characteristic ring-shaped corneal infiltrate. Naegleria causes Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis; Balamuthia causes Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis; Sappinia is an extremely rare, isolated cause of encephalitis — none of these three are recognized causes of keratitis.