The role of naturally acquired intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis in an animal model.

Our findings indicate the presence of live intracellular bacteria in Acanthamoeba can increase the severity of acute keratitis in vivo. As P. aeruginosa is a common cause of keratitis, this may indicate the potential for these intracellular bacteria in Acanthamoeba to lead to severe polymicrobial keratitis.