Final answer:
Acanthamoeba keratitis is treated with chlorhexidine and polyhexamethylene biguanide. These antiseptics are part of a three to four weeks intensive treatment necessary to combat this serious infection, highlighting the importance of chlorhexidine's broad-spectrum activity and polyhexamethylene biguanide's antiseptic properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acanthamoeba keratitis is commonly treated with a combination of chlorhexidine and polyhexamethylene biguanide. This ocular infection must be addressed promptly with a rigorous treatment regimen to prevent its progression, typically involving three to four weeks of intensive care. These treatments include topical antiseptics, with chlorhexidine being known for its broad-spectrum activity that disrupts cell membranes, and is bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on the concentration. Polyhexamethylene biguanide also works as an antiseptic, contributing to eliminating the infection caused by Acanthamoeba.
Acanthamoeba infections are typically acquired through environmental exposure to the amoeba. For instance, swimming in a lake while wearing contact lenses can lead to an Acanthamoeba infection as the organism is found in many natural fresh water sources. With regard to antimicrobial drugs, a narrow-spectrum antimicrobial drug would not be appropriate for a polymicrobic mixed infection in the intestine, as a broad-spectrum drug would likely be required to target multiple types of bacteria.