Purpose: To determine the killing effect of microwave irradiation on Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
Methods: The trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga both in water and on agar were exposed to microwave irradiation with a capacity of 750 W for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. Furthermore, the trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga in water were exposed to microwave irradiation with a capacity of 100, 300, and 500 W for 1 minute, respectively.
Results: The trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga on agar were completely killed by 3 minutes of microwave irradiation with a capacity of 750 W. The trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga in water were completely killed by microwave irradiation with a capacity of 300 W for 1 minute.
Conclusions: We demonstrate that microwave treatment is effective in killing A. polyphaga both in water and on agar and may be a helpful modality to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis.