Unusual case of Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in a contact lens wearer from Gauteng, South Africa

Acanthamoeba species can cause a chronic, progressive ulcerative keratitis of the eye which is not responsive to the usual antimicrobial therapy and i s frequently mistaken for stromal herpes keratitis, tin unusual case of coi nfection with Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as causes o f corneal keratitis in a contact lens wearer from Gauteng, South Africa, is reported. These two pathogens have previously been assumed to be selective ly exclusive, Cysts of the isolated acanthameba tolerated an incubation tem perature of 40 degrees C, indicating a pathogenic species. This case highli ghts the importance of culture methods in the diagnosis of corneal infectio n and the choice of treatment regimen. The patient's history of careless co ntact lens-disinfecting habits emphasizes the need to adhere strictly to re commended methods of contact lens care.