Acanthamoeba [ǝˌ́́́́kæn.Өǝʹmi.bǝ]
From the Greek akantha (spike/thorn), which was added before amoeba (change) to describe this organism as having a spine-like structure (acanthopodia). This organism is now well-known as Acanthamoeba, an amphizoic, opportunistic, and nonopportunistic protozoan protist widely distributed in the environment.
In 1930, it was reported by Castellani in yeast (Cryptococcus pararoseus) culture, and was later (1931) classified as the genus Acanthamoeba by Volkonsky. It was later found to be the etiologic agent of Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis and keratitis in humans. This organism can also cause cutaneous acanthamebiasis in debilitated and immunocompromised patients (Figure).
Figure.
This scanning electron microscopic image shows an Acanthamoeba polyphaga protozoa about to complete the process of cell division known as mitosis, thereby becoming 2 distinct organisms. Note the numerous pseudopodia projecting from the surfaces of these organisms. These pseudopodia enable the amoebae to move about and grasp objects in their environment. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Catherine Armbruster, Margaret William; photograph, Janice Haney Carr, 2009.
Footnotes
Suggested citation for this article: Pradha N. Etymologia: Acanthamoeba. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Aug [date cited]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2608.ET2608
Sources
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