Role of Acanthamoeba in wound infections
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Role of Acanthamoeba in wound infections
IRAS ID
138584
Contact name
OSAMAH AL RUGAIE
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
Research summary
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the main causative agents of nosocomial wound infections. As well as wounds, both microorganisms contaminate burns, colonise tissues, mouth and cause infections. Reoccurance of wound infections is very common and treatment is problematic because of their resistance to several antibiotics. Wounds are also the portal entry of other microorgnisms notably Acanthamoeba, the free-living amoebae. Acanthamoeba feed on bacteria and protect them from environmental conditions. Our recent findings confirmed that the above mentioned bacteria invade, survive and multiply inside Acanthamoeba. Then, they burset Acanthamoeba and re-infect the area. It is our intention to investigate the following:
- Factors associated with infections by microorganisms under investigation.
- The presence of Acanthamoeba in wounds.
To study that, we will take the rest of swab samples which have been already collected for other routine investigation at the hospital. The results will be written up as a thesis for a PhD degree.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1538
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion