Pathogenic Acanthamoeba (Hartmanella)

Abstract

Pathogenicity of Hartmanella sp. was investigated. Observations with Hartmanella sp. suggest that this strain is similar to soil amebae when grown in the presence of edible bacteria. Complement-fixing antibodies are present in several species of animals, including man, but the significance of these findings is not yet known. Additional study is needed in several categories: Examination of infected and diseased tissue by means of experiments with animals; development of methods of differential staining; careful clinical and laboratory studies of patients whose serum yields positive results in complement-fixation tests; testing of other strains of soil amebae in order to determine whether or not they may be pathogenic or potentially pathogenic. The need for extreme caution in identifying such amebae as the causative agents of disease is emphasized.