In vitro cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from contact lens containers in Korea by crystal violet staining and LDH release assay

In order to observe the cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp., which were isolated from contact lens containers as ethiological agents for the probable amoebic keratitis in Korea, the crystal violet staining method and LDH release assay were carried out. In the crystal violet staining method, among eight contact lens container isolates, isolate 3 (Acanthauloeba KA/LS5) showed 83.6% and 81.8% of cytotoxicity, and isolate 7 (Acanthamoeba KA/LS37) showed 28.2% and 25.1% of cytotoxicity, in 1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml Iysate treatments, respectively. Acanthamoeba cutbertsoni and A. healyi showed 84.0% and 82.8% of cytotoxicity. Similar results were observed in A. costellunii and A. hafchefti which showed 83.6% and 75.5% or cytotoxicity. Acanthamoeba roureba and A. polyphaga showed 9.0% and 1.7% of cytotoxicity. In the LDH release assay, isolate 3 (20.4%) showed higher cytotoxicity than other isolates in 1 mg/ml Iysate treatment. The results provide that at least isolate 3 has the cytotoxic effect against CHO cells and seems to be the pathogenic strain.