Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba
Parasitology
Protozoa
Worms
Diphyllobothrium latum
Echinococcus granulosus (Hydatid disease)
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus
Angiostrongylus (Eosinophilic meningitis)
Anisakis
Ascaris lumbricoides
Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
Guinea worm (Dracunculiasis)
Loa loa (Eye worm)
Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)
Strongyloides stercoralis
Toxocara canis (Visceral larva migrans)
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
Wuchereria bancrofti (Lymphatic filariasis)
Clonorchis sinensis
Paragonimus westermani
Schistosomes
Key Takeaways
Acanthamoeba is a genus of amoeba that can cause infections of the eye, skin, and central nervous system. It's most known to cause a sight-threatening eye infection known as acanthamoeba keratitis. Acanthamoeba infections are rare, but they can be serious if not treated. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, blurred vision, fever, and sensitivity to light. Acanthamoeba is usually found in bodies of water (such as lakes, rivers, and ponds), but can also be present in soil and on plants.