RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar nossa experiência inicial no tra tamento da ceratite por Acanthamoeba com reticulação acelerada de colágeno corneano. Métodos: Revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de pacientes diagnosticados com ceratite por Acanthamoeba, com deformação progressiva da córnea, tratados com reticulação acelerada de colágeno. Resultados: Seis olhos (5 pacientes) foram incluídos. Todos os pacientes receberam terapia adjuvante com moxifloxacina e clorexidina. Em 4 casos, a úlcera cicatrizou com uma média de epitelização de 108,8 dias (amplitude de 59-217 dias). Em dois pacientes, a úlcera apresentou um comportamento neurotrófico. A deformação não foi progressiva em nenhum dos pacientes e nenhum dos olhos exigiu ceratoplastia penetrante de emergência. Conclusão: Este estudo sugeriu um efeito benéfico da reticulação acelerada de colágeno em casos de ceratite por Acanthamoeba infecciosa com deformação corneal. A reticulação de colágeno parece ser uma alternativa coadjuvante possível para casos de ceratite por Acanthamoeba.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To report our initial experience in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis with accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis with progressive corneal melting who were treated with accelerated collagen cross-linking. Results: A total of 6 eyes (5 patients) were reviewed. All the patients received adjuvant therapy with moxifloxacin and chlorhexidine. In 4 cases, the ulcer healed with a mean interval to epithelialization of 108.8 days (range 59-217). In 2 eyes, there was a persistent neurotrophic ulcer. The melting was not progressive in any case, nor did any eye required emergency penetrating keratoplasy. Conclusion: This study suggests a beneficial effect of accelerated collagen cross-linking in cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis with corneal melting. Thus, collagen cross-linking may be considered as adjuvant treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the cornea is a leading cause of blindness in occidental countries and a common recurrent manifestation of it is the immune stromal keratitis (ISK). However, it is not known whether active viral replication occurs during the acute phase of the disease, because isolation of the virus by conventional culture techniques has not been accomplished. Aim: To establish the presence of HSV in patients with ISK. Material and methods: Fourteen corneal swabbing samples, from active diseased eyes of patients with clinical diagnosis of ISK, were submitted to Herpchek® and PCR for the identification of HSV antigens and genome. Results: All ISK samples were negative by both techniques. Conclusions: It was not possible to identify HSV antigens nor their genome by the methodology used. It is likely that, they can’t be detected in corneal superficial layers or probably there is no viral replication at this stage of the disease, so antiviral therapy should be reconsidered. (Rev Méd Chile 2001; 129: 259-63).