Inhibition of Acanthamoeba species by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: rationale for their selective exclusion in corneal ulcers and contact lens care systems.

Cocultivation of Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba polyphaga with live Pseudomonas aeruginosa and with broth filtrates of P. aeruginosa proved equally lethal to the Acanthamoeba spp. The P. aeruginosa-induced amebicidal activity is apparently toxin mediated and has two operative modes: it can function through binding of P. aeruginosa to the ameba membrane and in the presence of one or more P. aeruginosa exoproducts.