Molecular detection and characterization of Acanthamoeba infection in dogs and its association with keratitis in Korea

Abstract

<i>Acanthamoeba</i> infection is associated with keratitis in humans; however, its association with keratitis in dogs remains unclear. To investigate this possibility, we collected 171 conjunctival swab samples from dogs with eye-related diseases (65 with keratitis and 106 without keratitis) at Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Korea, from August 2021 to September 2022. Polymerase chain reaction identified 9 samples (5.3%) as <i>Acanthamoeba</i> positive; of these, 3 were from dogs with keratitis (4.6%) and 6 were from dogs without keratitis (5.7%). Our results indicated no significant association between <i>Acanthamoeba</i> infection and keratitis, season, sex, or age. All <i>Acanthamoeba</i> organisms found in this study had the genotype T4, according to 18S ribosomal RNA analysis. Acanthamoeba infection in dogs might have only a limited association with keratitis.