In vivo confocal microscopy imaging for the differential diagnosis of Acanthamoeba epitheliopathy and herpes simplex keratitis
Keywords:
Microscopia confocal in vivo, Acanthamoeba, herpes simple, queratitis.Abstract
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a low-incidence corneal infection caused by several factors and characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations and typical symptoms. In its epithelial phase, it should be differentiated from other keratitis, particularly from herpes simplex keratitis, due to the similar characteristics of the corneal lesion. In vivo confocal microscopy is a diagnostic alternative consisting in a photographic biopsy showing images of Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites since their initial stages, thus allowing differentiation from other types of keratitis and the initiation of early treatment. A search was conducted of published papers with the purpose of showing confocal microscopy images of the epithelial phase of Acanthamoeba and herpes simplex corneal infection. Use was made of the platform Infomed, specifically the Virtual Health Library.
Key words: In vivo confocal microscopy; Acanthamoeba; herpes simplex; keratitis.