Wayne's research interests are centred around Acanthamoeba which is a common environmental free-living amoeba which is characterised by a life cycle of a feeding and replicating trophozoite which, in response to adversity, can transform into a highly resistant cyst stage.
Acanthamoeba spp. are opportunistic pathogens of humans, causing a potentially blinding keratitis in previously healthy persons. Contact lens wearers are most at risk from Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and account for some 90% of reported cases.
Although risk factors such as water exposure and poor contact lens hygiene have been implicated, the exact cause of the disease is not well understood.
The treatment for patients with AK is limited and currently, there is no licensed drug available to treat the infection. Patients often need to attend the Hospital over many months, sometimes years for treatment, and in some cases, the treatment does not work and radical surgery such as removing the eye may be needed.
The cornea is considered to be an immune privileged site and as a result the immune response is different to that of the rest of the body.
Wayne's interest in this field is centred around:
- Developing new treatments
- Developing improved contact lens disinfection systems
- Preventing infection through improved ISO standards for contact lenses
- Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease by examining tear immunoglobulins
- Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease by sequencing the clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba