Corticosteroids for Acanthamoeba Keratitis in adults
Official title: Parasitic Ulcer Treatment Trial
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11532326 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A randomized trial tests whether adding a corticosteroid eye drop after standard anti-amoebic therapy helps improve vision in people with acanthamoeba keratitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $9,000 |
| NIH project number | 3UG1EY033284-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11532326 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with microbiologically confirmed acanthamoeba keratitis who still have ocular inflammation after 4 weeks of anti-amoebic therapy and are receiving standard care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose inflammation resolves early or who cannot tolerate corticosteroids may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If you have acanthamoeba keratitis, this trial enrolls patients who still have eye inflammation after initial treatment. After four weeks of anti-amoebic therapy, eligible participants are randomly assigned to receive either a corticosteroid eye drop or a placebo while continuing anti-amoebic treatment. The study will measure vision outcomes, time to inflammation resolution, and risk of corneal perforation over 6 to 7 months. It is conducted across multiple centers in the US, UK, Brazil, and India to determine if steroids can safely improve eye comfort and vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide safer, more effective use of corticosteroids to improve vision for people with this infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored steroids in related eye infections, but this trial specifically tests their use after standard anti-amoebic therapy for acanthamoeba keratitis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keenan, Jeremy David — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Keenan, Jeremy David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.