JOURNAL ARTICLE

Could giant viruses be considered as a biotechnological tool for preventing and controlling Acanthamoeba infections?

  • Published In: Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2024, v. 135, n. 3. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Crispim, Ana Paula Correia; Serafim, Mateus Sá Magalhães; Costa, Adriana Oliveira; Abrahão, Jônatas Santos 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on evaluating mimivirus as a potential therapeutic and prophylactic agent against Acanthamoeba castellanii, the causative protozoan of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a serious corneal infection linked to contact lens use. The study demonstrates that mimivirus effectively inhibits both encystment and excystment of A. castellanii, outperforming five commercial multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPS) in amoebicidal activity while exhibiting lower cytotoxicity to Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Additionally, mimivirus provided greater protection against amoeba-induced damage in MDCK cells compared to the tested MPS. The findings suggest mimivirus’s promise as a biotechnological tool for AK prevention and treatment, though further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2024/03, Vol. 135, Issue 3, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Consumer Health
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:1364-5072
  • DOI:10.1093/jambio/lxae044
  • Accession Number:176300987
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Applied Microbiology is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.