Acanthamöben (Acanthamoebidae) sind amöboide Einzeller aus der Gruppe der Amoebozoa. Sie gehören zu den häufigsten freilebenden Amöben im Boden, im Süßwasser und in einigen weiteren Habitaten und ernähren sich im Regelfall von Bakterien. Einige Arten können als Opportunisten Krankheiten wie die Acanthamöbiasis, als Hornhautentzündung oder Granulomatöse Amöben-Enzephalitis auslösen.EN: This photomicrograph depicted a magnified view of brain tissue within which was a centrally located Acanthamoeba sp. cyst. Acanthamoeba spp. are opportunistic free-living amebae, capable of causing granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in individuals with compromised immune systems.
Acanthamoeba spp. have only two stages, cysts and trophozoites, in their life cycle. No flagellated stage exists as part of the life cycle. The trophozoites replicate by mitosis (nuclear membrane does not remain intact). The trophozoites are the infective forms and are believed to gain entry into the body through the lower respiratory tract, ulcerated or broken skin, and invade the central nervous system by hematogenous dissemination.Acanthamoeba spp. can also cause severe keratitis in otherwise healthy individuals, particularly contact lens users. These amebae have been found in soil; fresh, brackish, and sea water; sewage; swimming pools; contact lens equipment; medicinal pools; dental treatment units; dialysis machines; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; mammalian cell cultures; vegetables; human nostrils and throats; and human and animal brain, skin, and lung tissues.Source: CDC/ George Healy, Ph.D., DPDx, (retired)
