Identification of Hub genes with prognostic values in colorectal cancer by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to investigate the Hub genes and their prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) via bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: The data set of colorectal cancer was downloaded from the GEO database (GSE21510, GSE110224 and GSE74602) for differential expression analysis using the GEO2R tool. Hub genes were screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) comprehensive analysis. GEPIA was used to verify the expression of Hub genes and evaluate its prognostic value. The protein expression of Hub gene in CRC was analyzed using the Human Protein Atlas database. The cBioPortal was used to analyze the type and frequency of Hub gene mutations, and the effects of mutation on the patients' prognosis. The TIMER database was used to study the correlation between Hub genes and immune infiltration in CRC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the biological function and signal pathway of the Hub genes and corresponding co-expressed genes. RESULTS: We identified 346 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 117 upregulated and 229 downregulated. Four Hub genes (AURKA, CCNB1, EXO1 and CCNA2) were selected by survival analysis and differential expression validation. The protein and mRNA expression levels of AURKA, CCNB1, EXO1 and CCNA2 were higher in CRC tissues than in adjacent tissues. There were varying degrees of immune cell infiltration and gene mutation of Hub genes, especially B cells and CD8+ T cells. The results of GSEA showed that Hub genes and their co-expressed genes mainly participated in chromosome segregation, DNA replication, translational elongation and cell cycle. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of AURKA, CCNB1, CCNA2 and EXO1 had a better prognosis for CRC and this effect was correlation with gene mutation and infiltration of immune cells.

Epithelial changes with corneal punctate epitheliopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their correlation with time to healing.

BACKGROUND: To study basal epithelial cell (BEC), sub-basal nerve plexus (SBN) and Langerhans cell (LC) density in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with corneal punctate epitheliopathy (CPE) and to assess their association with time to healing of CPE. METHODS: Retrospective study of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in 160 eyes from 160 patients with T2DM diagnosed with CPE due to a single cause. Key exclusion criteria included multiple-causes for CPE or treatment with autologous serum. A total of 149 eyes from 149 gender- age- and aetiolgy-matched patients with CPE without T2DM comprised the control group. Electronic records were reviewed for demographic features, history of T2DM and aetiology of CPE. Density of BEC, SBN and LC were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The healing time in days for CPE with different aetiologies in the T2DM and control groups were as follows: dry eye (21.56 ± 2.41; 7.00 ± 2.19; P = 0.001); meibomian gland dysfunction (26.42 ± 6.04; 9.21 ± 2.55; P = 0.001); cataract extraction (38.00 ± 19.62; 25.83 ± 11.49; P = 0.043); drug induced (53.19 ± 18.83; 41.86 ± 23.87; P = 0.018) and exposure (38.25 ± 14.13; 29.00 ± 13.67; P = 0.026). LC density was 38.70 ± 9.65 cells/mm2 in the T2DM group comparedwith 25.53 ± 3.54 cells/mm2 in the controls (P = 0.001). SBN density was 11.76 ± 1.69 mm/mm2 in the T2DM group compared with 20.92 ± 1.43 mm/mm2 in the controls (P = 0.001). BEC density in the T2DM group was 4982 ± 1178 cells/mm2 compared with 5739 ± 394 cells/mm2 in the control group (P = 0.018). Age and duration of T2DM had no relationship with healing time (multiple linear regression, P = 0.618; P = 0.787). The density of LC in the T2DM group showed a negative correlation with SBN density (r = 0.350; R2 = 0.1225; P = 0.034). The density of SBN in the T2DM group showed a positive correlation with BEC density (r = 0.427; R2 = 0.1823; P = 0.008). The density of BEC in the T2DM group showed a negative correlation with healing time (r = 0.931; R2 = 0.8668; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Utilising IVCM, we have demonstrated increased LC and decreased SBN in patients with T2DM and CPE. Both may be related to lower BEC density and nuclei enhanced reflection. Furthermore, decreased BEC density may lead to delay in cornea epithelium healing in the T2DM group comparedwith controls. An immune-mediated response may play a role in delayed wound closure in patients with T2DM.

Early central and peripheral corneal microstructural changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients identified using in vivo confocal microscopy: A case-control study.

The aim of this study was to find early central and peripheral corneal microstructural changes in healthy subjects and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with/without cornea fluorescein dot staining.This is a prospective case-control study of T2DM patients with/without cornea fluorescein dot staining. Age, sex, duration of diabetes, and serum glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were recorded. Keratograph 5 M (K5 M) and in vivo confocal microscopy were performed on all subjects. The cornea was divided into 5 zones: central, superior, temporal, nasal, and inferior. Basal epithelial cell (BEC) density, the area of BEC, sub-basal nerve plexus (SBN) density, Langerhans cell (LC), and endothelial cell (EC) density were quantitatively analyzed.This study included a total of 87 individuals (28 males and 59 females; mean age, 62.30 ±â€Š9.93 years) with T2DM, without (n = 48; T2DM group 1) and with (n = 39; T2DM group 2) cornea fluorescein staining, as well as 51 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (18 males and 33 females; mean age, 61.53 ±â€Š10.15 years). Ocular Surface Disease Index scores, Schirmer Ι test, tear meniscus height, the first breakup of tear film occurrence (NIKBUT-first), and the average time of all breakup incidents (NIKBUT-average) values were significantly lower for the T2DM groups than for the healthy group. The corneal sensations of all cornea positions in the T2DM groups were significantly different from the control group. The HbA1c in the T2DM groups showed a negative correlation with central BEC density (R = 0.348, P = .015; R = 0.91, P = .001); there was no correlation of HbA1c with BEC density in the control group. The BEC density, the area of BEC, SBN, and LC density of T2DM group 1 and T2DM group 2 were significantly different compared with the control group in all corneal positions (P < .001). The BEC density of T2DM group 2 was significantly different from T2DM group 1 in the central (P = .044) and inferior (P = .013) zones. The area of BEC in T2DM group 2 was significantly different from T2DM group 1 in inferior zone (P = .014) and other corneal positions showed was no significant difference (P > .05). The SBN density of T2DM group 2 was not significantly different from T2DM group 1 in all corneal positions (P > .05). The LC density of T2DM group 2 was significantly different from T2DM group 1 in the central (P = .006) and inferior (P = .006) zones. Although the LC density in the T2DM groups showed no significant difference in all corneal zones (P > .05), the LC density in the central zone was significantly lower compared with the peripheral zone in the control group (P = .001). The central ECs in the 3 groups were not significantly different (P > .05).LC induced an immune-mediated contribution to corneal nerve damage and may influence the early stages of BEC proliferation and differentiation in T2DM. BEC density was the reliable index for evaluating the early condition of diabetic corneal epitheliopathy. The BEC density of the central and inferior corneal zones was more sensitive.

Mitochondrial pathways are involved in Eimeria tenella-induced apoptosis of chick embryo cecal epithelial cells.

Accumulating evidence suggests that Eimeria tenella severely damages the intestinal mucosa in infected poultry, resulting in deadly haemorrhagic typhlocolitis and major economic losses. Damage to host tissue is believed to arise mainly from apoptosis, which is, in general, intimately related to mitochondrial function. However, it is unclear whether mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways are specifically involved in parasite-induced apoptosis of chick embryo cecal epithelial cells. Because the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and caspase-9 are important elements in these pathways, we studied the effects of their respective inhibitors (i.e., cyclosporine A [CsA] and Z-LEHD-FMK, respectively) in primary cultures of chicken embryonic cecum epithelial cells using histopathological techniques, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assays, flow cytometry (FCM) and ELISA. Results indicated that the inhibitors significantly decreased (p < 0.01) DNA injury, apoptosis and caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity of chick embryo cecal epithelial cells at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h after E. tenella infection. Thus, our data supported that mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways were involved in apoptosis of parasitised chick embryo cecal epithelial cells.

High-performance planar green light-emitting diodes based on a PEDOT:PSS/CH3NH3PbBr3/ZnO sandwich structure.

Recently, perovskite-based light-emitting diodes based on organometal halide emitters have attracted much attention because of their excellent properties of high color purity, tunable emission wavelength and a low-temperature processing technique. As is well-known, organic light-emitting diodes have shown powerful capabilities in this field; however, the fabrication of these devices typically relies on high-temperature and high-vacuum processes, which increases the final cost of the product and renders them uneconomical for use in large-area displays. Organic/inorganic hybrid halide perovskites match with these material requirements, as it is possible to prepare such materials with high crystallinity through solution processing at low temperature. Herein, we demonstrated a high-brightness green light-emitting diode based on PEDOT: PSS/CH3NH3PbBr3/ZnO sandwich structures by a spin-coating method combined with a sputtering system. Under forward bias, a dominant emission peak at ∼530 nm with a low full width of half-maximum (FWHM) of 30 nm can be achieved at room temperature. Owing to the high surface coverage of the CH3NH3PbBr3 layer and a device design based on carrier injection and a confinement configuration, the proposed diode exhibits good electroluminescence performance, with an external quantum efficiency of 0.0645%. More importantly, we investigated the working stability of the studied diode under continuous operation to verify the sensitivity of the electroluminescence performance to ambient atmosphere and to assess the suitability of the diode for practical applications. Moreover, the underlying reasons for the undesirable emission decay are tentatively discussed. This demonstration of an effective green electroluminescence based on CH3NH3PbBr3 provides valuable information for the design and development of perovskites as efficient emitters, thus facilitating their use in existing applications and suggesting new potential applications.

Repeatability and Reproducibility of Noninvasive Keratograph 5M Measurements in Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose. To determine the intraexaminer repeatability and interexaminer reproducibility of tear meniscus height (TMH) and noninvasive Keratograph tear breakup time (NIKBUT) measurements obtained with the Keratograph 5M (K5M) in a sample of healthy and dry eye populations. Methods. Forty-two patients with dry eye disease (DED group) and 42 healthy subjects (healthy group) were recruited in this prospective study. In all subjects, each eye received 3 consecutive measurements using the K5M for the TMH and NIKBUTs (NIKBUT-first and NIKBUT-average). And then a different examiner repeated the measurements. The repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results. The repeatability and reproducibility of TMH and NIKBUTs were good in both DED and healthy groups (CV% ≤ 26.1% and ICC ≥ 0.75 for all measurements). Patients with DED showed better intraexaminer repeatability for NIKBUTs, but worse for TMH than healthy subjects. Average TMH, NIKBUT-first, and NIKBUT-average were significantly lower in DED group than in healthy group (all P values < 0.05). Conclusions. Measurements of TMH and NIKBUTs obtained with the K5M may provide a simple, noninvasive screening test for dry eye with acceptable repeatability and reproducibility. The NIKBUTs were more reliable, but TMH was less reliable in patients with DED.

[Research progresses in treating infectious keratitis with photodynamic therapy].

Photodynamic therapy(PDT) as a new therapeutic method is increasing widely used in ocular surface disease. Along with intensive studies of microorganism inhibition and promoting function in tissue repairing of PDT have been developed, PDT been gradually applied to treating infectious keratitis in clinical. We review mechanism, sterilization and application in infectious keratitis of PDT.

[Analysis of etiology and in vitro drug resistance of ocular fungal infection in period of 2009 - 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution and shifting trends of fungal culture specimens and assess the drug sensitivity in vitro. METHODS: Case series study. From January 2009 to December 2010, 1302 specimens were collected. These specimens were cultured on potato dextrose agar medium under 28°C and 40% humidity for 3 - 8 days. Drug sensitivity of positive cultures were evaluated by K-B method. Chi-square test was used for the analysis. RESULTS: In 1302 specimens, 292 samples (22.4%) were culture-positive, in which 69.9% were isolated from the cornea, 3.8% from the vitreous body, 1.0% from the anterior chamber, 0.7% from the conjunctiva, 0.7% from palpebral margin and 24.0% from other parts of the eye. Culture-positive rate of 2009 and 2010 were 21.2% (135/637) and 23.6% (157/665) respectively with no statistically significant difference (χ(2) = 1.092, P = 0.296). Two peaks of culture-positive outcome appeared in May and November. Culture results showed that Fusarium sp. was the commonest pathogen (59.6%, 174/292), Aspergrium sp. in 16.8% (49/292) and Alternaria sp.in 10.6% (31/292). Patients from 31 to 60 years old accounted for 82.2% (240/292) of positive cases. The sensitive rate in vitro to natamycin, terbinafine, fluconazole, amphotericin B and itraconazole was 94.0% (63/67), 63.4% (154/ 243), 6.0% (17/285), 39.7% (98/247) and 21.2% (65/306), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The top three commonest fungus of Beijing Tong Ren hospital successively are Fusarium sp., Aspergrium sp. and Alternaria sp. Natamycin should be the first choice for fusarium infection and pathogen-unknown infection. All species with the exception of Fusarium sp. are sensitive to natamycin, terbinafine and amphotericin B but not itraconazole. Almost all fungal strains are resistant to fluconazole.

[Features and differentiation of smear cytology in ocular fungal infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytological feature and differentiate diagnosis of ocular fungal infections by smear cytology. METHODS: Experimental study. One thousand two hundred and twenty-six specimens of smear cytology were collected retrospectively during January 2007- December 2010 from Microbial Laboratory of Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology. The 1226 specimens analyzed in this study were collected from patients who suffered from ocular fungal infections. The corneal scraping cells were observed by Giemsa staining, and the photographic record was saved. The morphological characteristics of fungal pathogens and the surrounding cells were analyzed by light microscopy. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety eight of 1226 (81.40%) specimens were positive with fungal pathogens, 228 of 1226 (18.60%) specimens were fungal negative by smear cytology. 976 of 998 (97.80%) fungal positive specimens were filamentous fungi positive, and 22 of 998 (2.20%) specimens were yeast positive. Among the 998 fungal positive specimens analyzed in this study, twenty-seven (2.71%) were collected from the vitreous, twelve (1.20%) were collected from aqueous humors, thirteen (1.30%) were collected from conjunctiva, seven (0.70%) were collected from eyelid margin, three (0.30%) were collected from lachrymal, and 8 were collected from other parts. The fungal pathogens should be differentiated from the deformed corneal epithelial cells, vacuoles, amebic cyst and other tissue cells during scraping. CONCLUSIONS: The smear cytology test for the diagnosis of ocular fungal infections has advantages of higher detection rate, less time-consuming and easier operation. The identification of fungal like ingredients is very important to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of ocular fungal infections.

[Effects of tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment for blepharitis: multi-center clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To realize the effectiveness and security of Tobramycin and Dexamethasone Eye Ointment for blepharitis treatment. Design Case control studies. Participants 148 patients be diagnosed as blepharitis including 81 cases as research group and 67 cases as control group. METHODS: Multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial. The patients met the inclusion criteria from First Hospital Peking University, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Ophthalmology Center Zhongshan University and Third Hospital Peking University were divided into two groups in Aug. to Dec. 2011. Tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment was applied to eye lid in research group while patients in control group used tobramycin eye ointment. All patients were informed to apply warm compress to the lids, mechanically washing to the eyelids and artificial tears. At the beginning, the 7(th) day, the 14(th) day and the 28(th) day of treatment, observation of symptom, sign and side effect were recorded. RESULTS: Before treatment the difference of the symptom scores of burning sensation, tears, photophobia and itch of two groups has no statistically significant (t = 1.87, 0.43, -0.64, 0.93, P > 0.05), but the symptom scores have a statistically significant decrease (t = 1.99 - 6.90, P < 0.05) at the 7(th) day, 14(th) day, 28(th) day. Before treatment the difference of signs scores have no statistically significant except the term of new blood vessels (t = 2.32, P = 0.02) while all the signs scores have a statistically significant decrease at the 7(th) day, 14(th) day, 28(th) day. Side effect: the number of patients with elevated intraocular pressure of research and control group is 3 and 1 respectively and the ratio is 3.7% and 1.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment can improve signs and symptoms of blepharitis patients. Some patients have to face with the risk of elevated intraocular pressure and it's necessary to monitor the intraocular pressure.

[Study on the clinical manifestation of 438 cases with blepharitis].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics and the therapy effect of blepharitis patients in clinic. METHODS: Retrospective case series study.Four hundred and thirty-eight patients were diagnosed clinically as blepharitis in Beijing Tongren Hospital from Jan 2009 to July 2012. Analyzed the general states of health, case history, and the clinical manifestation, to summarize the clinical characteristics of blepharitis. The patients were clinically degree indexing and treated appropriately. After 1-2 courses of the treatment, the effect was analyzed.main outcome measures:manifestation of lid margin, corneal, conjunctiva, and the results of tear tests. RESULT: Four hundred and thirty-eight patients were recorded, from 3 to 84 years old, and the average was 40 ± 18 years old.435 (99.3%) cases were suffered with double eyes.159(26.3%) cases were males, and 279 (63.7%) cases were females. Children group had 41 cases (9.4%), which from 0 to 16 years old. Adult group (17-59 years) included 331 cases, which were 75.6% in the study. 66 cases were in aged group ( ≥ 60 years), being 15.0% in all cases.176 cases (40.2%) were on mild stage, 174 cases (39.7%) on middle stage, and 88 cases (20.1%) were on serious stage. Aged group were significantly more than children group (χ(2) = 34.575, P < 0.05).No significant difference between male and female (χ(2) = 32.877, P = 0.192). In 222 cases (50.7%) blepharitis patients complicated with correlation of keratoconjunctivitis lesions, respectively 8.5%, 75.3% and 86.4% in the mild, moderate, and severe patients. Adult group cases were significantly more than Children and aged group (χ(2) = 362.785, P < 0.05). Aged group were significantly more than Children group (χ(2) = 362.785, P < 0.05). 303 cases (69.2%)were with tear abnormal. The moderate and serious patients were more suffered with tear abnormal than mild patients (χ(2) = 64.438, P = 0.000). Patients were followed up for 1.5 to 27 months, mean 8 months. According to different extent of blepharitis, patients were given 1 courses of treatment.333 cases were clinical recovery, and the other cases were improved obviously. CONCLUSIONS: Blepharitis occurs mainly in adults.It always complicate with dry eye and keratoconjunctival lesions.It is needed pay attention to by Ophthalmologist. The diagnosis and grade is based on typical clinical symptoms. The treatment according different grades should focus on the correct handling of the palpebral margin.

[The research progress of biofilm and biofilm in eye disease].

Bacteria adherent on the active or inactive surface can form biofilms in which they are encased in a hydrated matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, which is so called bacterial biofilm (BBF). BBF has greater virulence and drug resistance, they can also evade the host immune system and lead to immune injury compared with planktonic bacteria. Many common medical infections involving ophthalmic infection are biofilm-associated. In this paper, the concept and biological characteristics of BBF and BBF-related ophthalmic infection were reviewed.

[Role of in vivo confocal microscopy in the management of infectious keratitis].

Infectious keratitis remains a severe ocular condition that can lead to irreversible complications and even blindness. An early diagnosis of an infective microorganism leading to effective treatment may improve the outcome of infectious keratitis.However, the accurate and rapid identification of the infectious agent remains a challenge for the ophthalmologist.In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a noninvasive imaging technique that provides high-resolution images of ocular surface structures at a cellular level and infectious keratitis represents one of its most important clinical uses. The value of IVCM has been demonstrated in the diagnosis of acanthamoeba and filamentous fungal keratitis. The follow-up of such corneal infections may also be improved by this noninvasive imaging technique.However, the current resolution of IVCM limits its use in cases of bacterial and viral keratitis.

[Caution to perform excimer laser corneal ablation on the ametropia with corneal guttata].

It is very important to avoid inadequate patients to perform excimer laser keratectomy in order to prevent from surgical complications. The ametropic eyes with corneal guttata is considered very carefully whether to perform excimer laser corneal ablation or not, especially for the patient with corneal guttata companied by Fuchs endothelial dystrophy family history is contraindicated to perform laser corneal refractive surgery.

[In vivo confocal microscopy study of corneal endotheliitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the cellular morphological characteristics and changes of corneal endotheliitis by corneal microstructure in vivo. METHODS: Forty-eight clinical diagnosed patients of corneal endotheliitis were examined by in vivo confocal microscopy. Confocal images of different layers were collected and observed. Of all the patients, 39 were disciform and 9 were diffuse. The history of the 48 patients was from 7 days to 23 years and the duration was from 4 to 180 days. RESULTS: Epithelium revealed cellular edema, enlarged intercellular gaps, and bubble between the cells. The density of sub-basal nerve plexus was significantly lower than that of normal, even disappeared in 24 patients. A numerous dendritic cells (Langerhans cells, LCs) presented in the basal epithelium layer and gradually abated with disease regression, but the density of LCs was significantly higher than that of the contralateral eye. The keratocyte revealed edema and to be activated. Inflammatory cell was found in stroma of the patients with long history and duration disease. Endothelium cells were observed edema, with enlarged intercellular gaps. Inflammatory cells was found to infiltrate into the endothelial layer, most them gathered to be keratic precipitates (KP), which were rounded or elliptic and inserted between the endothelium by pushing the endothelium away, and induced decayed area between the endothelium. CONCLUSION: Corneal endotheliitis was not only the inflammation of endothelium, but also varied pathological changes of all layer of the cornea. Corneal endotheliitis patients with long history and duration presented the mixed type with stromal keratitis. The lower density of sub-basal nerve plexus and the higher density of dendritic LCs were the characteristics of endotheliitis. Impairment of intercellular junction by KP might be another important role of cornea edema. Sufficient and accurate treatment of endotheliitis was important.

[Whether does the granular corneal dystrophy indicate for the excimer laser ablation surgery or not].

With the development of excimer laser technologies, the corneal refractive surgical procedures are improved constantly and the indication of excimer laser keratectomy is expanded. In clinic, PRK or LASEK or PTK or LASIK were performed on the eyes of granular corneal dystrophy with refractive error and the early results were satisfied, but the reoccurrence and server opacity of cornea are worried. Is this corneal disease the indication of excimer laser keratectomy? Nowadays, the exact indication for the disease should be declared in clinic. In this article, the customized treatment nomogram for three types of granular corneal dystrophy is explicated according to the clear classification and exact diagnosis on this disease, in order to apply the excimer laser keratectomy reasonably and correctly for the patient approaching the safe, effective and long term satisfactory result.

[Progresses of in vitro culture and differentiation in conjunctival epithelial stem cells].

Conjunctiva epithelial stem cells are bipotent cells giving rise to both conjunctival epithelial cells and goblet cells. They play a central role in ocular surface homeostasis and wound repair, and also have great capacities of self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. As a result, conjunctival epithelial stem cells are main resources of seed cells for tissue engineering conjunctiva. To review the current research of conjunctival epithelia stem cells such as their features, distribution, ways to identify stem cells, in vitro culture and induced differentiation to goblet cells.

[Emphasis on prevention and control of trachoma in China].

In China, in order to complete the goal of the elimination of blinding trachoma before 2020, which is presented by the World Health Organization, several steps should be taken as following. First of all, the support at all levels by government is needed, meanwhile, it is very necessary to perform a national epidemiological study about prevalence and risk factors of trachoma and to make the program of the control of trachoma in line with Chinese national condition. Finally, to promote the participation of people with strengthening the propaganda of public health knowledge about trachoma is also important. More efforts should be taken for elimination of the blinding trachoma in the most populous country before 2020.

[Morphological characteristics in corneal smear of acanthamoeba keratitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the morphological characteristics in corneal smear of acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: Experimental study. From May 1991 to December 2007, in Department of Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, 159 cases with acanthamoeba keratitis were analyzed for the laboratory results and clinical data. Giemsa's stained smear and wet-mount preparation of 159 cases were observed, all the results of cytology be photographed as the records. RESULTS: Among the 159 cases with acanthamoeba keratitis, 131 patients (82.4%) were positive on smear, and 110 cases (69.2%) were positive in culture of amoeba. The detection positive rate of smear was apparently higher than culture. Typical trophozoites, pre-encystment trophozoites, mature cysts and empty cysts could be observed by smear. So it is an important method for the clinical diagnosis. The edema and dissolved corneal epithelial cells, exudate cells, arthrospores or chlamydoconidium of mycelial fungus, vacuoles, lipid droplet and medicine crystallization should be differentiated with the pathogen. The movement of trophozoites could mainly be observed through wet-mount preparation. CONCLUSION: The detection of typical features of trophozoites, pre-encystment trophozoites, mature cysts and empty cysts by corneal smear is important for the etiological diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis.