Molecular Characterization of Acanthamoeba Isolates from Surface Resting Waters in Northwest Iran (original) (raw)
Related papers
Water Supply, 2021
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed protozoa in natural or man-made aquatic environments without the need for a host organism for survival. Several strains of FLA are known to be pathogenic. As of date, there is inadequate data on the geographical distribution of FLA in northeastern and northern Iran. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria in drinking water and surface water samples in northern and northeastern Iran. A total of 60 water samples were collected and filtered from various sources for the presence of amoebae. DNA extraction was performed, and PCR confirmed the presence of FLA. PCR products were sequenced to identify the species/genotype. Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status constructed using MEGA X software. The findings on growth media showed 35% (21/60) and 26% (16/60) were positive for Acanthamoeba and Naegleria, respectively, while PCR analysis also obtained similar results. All i...
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology
Background: Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living opportunistic protozoan parasites, which can be found in tap, fresh and bottled mineral waters, contact lens solutions, soil etc. Objectives: The present study is aimed to determine the Acanthamoeba spp. on the basis of their morpho-molecular aspects in different water sources of the West Azerbaijan province, Northwest of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 water samples were collected from rivers and tap waters during June to September 2015. The water samples were filtered through a cellulose nitrate filter and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium. The extracted DNAs were amplified and some ampliqons were sequenced using partial 18S rRNA for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses. Results: Twenty-seven (45%) out of 60 water samples were positive to Acanthamoeba spp. using both culture and morphological examinations. In addition, 24 (40%) out of 27 positive samples in culture method were confirmed by PCR to be Acanthamoeba spp. Conclusions: A relatively high prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. in rivers reflects a risk alert for threatening human health in the region. However, well hygienic status of the tap waters considering Acanthamoeba spp. cannot be ignored in western co-border regions of Iran-Iraq. This study can also serve as a platform for further explorations of water sources in Iran and neighboring countries.
Genotyping determination of Acanthamoeba strains: an original study and a systematic review in Iran
World Health Organization (WHO), 2019
This study aimed to detect the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in different water resources of Zahedan, southeast of Iran, and also systematically reviewed all publications regarding Acanthamoeba in Iran (2005-2018). Fifty water samples were collected from different water resources in Zahedan. The positive samples were identified morphologically and subjected to PCR using fragments of 18S rRNA. In the systematic review, data collection using particular terms was carried out using the following electronic databases including Science Direct, ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE, EBSCO, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 17 (34%) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba spp., and nucleotide sequencing indicated that 15 samples (88.23%) belonged to the T4 genotype and the rest belonged to the T5 genotype. A total of 39 studies reported genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. from various geographical areas of Iran and revealed that T4 (35 studies), T5 (19 studies), T3 (11 studies), T11 (8 studies), and T2 (6 studies) genotypes were the most prevalent in Iran. The T4 genotype of Acanthamoeba is a prevalent free-living amoeba and widely distributed not only in Zahedan but also in other provinces of Iran. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that A. castellanii and A. griffini predominantly colocalize with the T4 genotype.
The Acanthamoeba spp. in Water Sources from Zanjan Province, Northwest of Iran
Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion, 2017
"Background: The genus of Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan parasite with a worldwide distribution where it is able to cause fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and amoebic keratitis (AK). This organism inhabits in the wide range of natural and man-made aquatic environments. The present study was carried out to evaluate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the various water resources of Zanjan province, northwest Iran, using both morphological and molecular methods. Methods: The Water samples were randomly collected from 30 water sources in different parts of Zanjan, Iran, between April 2015 and May 2016. Then, the samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar and the Acanthamoeba genus identified by morphological characters. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the 18S rRNA gene as a molecular marker. Results: The obtained data showed that, out of the 60 water samples collected, 30 (50%) were positive for Acanthamoeba spp. According to morphological and molecular approaches. Conclusion: The present investigation is the first report of the distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in the various water sources of Zanjan province, gives baseline knowledge regarding water contamination with Acanthamoeba spp. in these areas and emphasizes the necessity of more attention to water sources in order to prevent infections associated with Acanthamoeba spp."
2020
Background & Aims: Free living amoeba that they can cause important diseases such as keratitis and meningoencephalitis, being studied more precisely in the world. In Iran, many studies have been carried out in most parts of the country or are under investigation. Becaus previously no study performed about this parasite in West Azerbaijan (North West Iran), the aim of this study was determination of frequency and genotype of Acanthamoeba spp. in water sources. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 water samples were collected from surface and plumbing waters from five regions of Urmia. Samples after filtration cultured in non-nutrient medium in 30o C. and amoeba harvested and DNA extracted. PCR in 18SrDNA fragment performed using primers JDP2 and JDP1, and 11 pruducts sent to sequencing. Results analyzed by bioinformatics software’s and submmited in Genbank. Results: Of the 60 superficial and plumbed water samples, 21 samples were positive, of which four were plumbed water and 17 of t...
Journal of Water and Health
The aim of the present study was to detect free-living amoeba (FLA) in the water resources of Arak, Iran using molecular tools. A total of 154 samples were collected from different water supplies. Molecular analyses, sequencing, and phylogenetic study were conducted to confirm the species and genotypes of FLA. Fisher exact test was used to determine the significance. Of 154 water samples, 19 (12.3%) samples were tested positive for FLA. Three genotypes of Acanthamoeba including T4, subtype D, and T5 were identified among the isolates. The pathogenicity assay showed that the isolate of Acanthamoeba in drinking water was highly pathogenic. Three species of Naegleria, including N. australiensis, N. pagei, and N. gruberi were found among the samples. Six isolates of Vermamoeba were identified as V. vermiformis. Meanwhile, three other species including Vannella sp., Vahlkampfia avara, and Stenamoeba polymorpha were also recovered from the water samples. Statistical analysis showed a sign...
Genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. Isolated from the Caspian Sea in Iran
Environmental Sciences Proceedings, 2020
Acanthamoeba spp. are widely distributed in the environment and have been reported to be causative agents of lethal encephalitis and keratitis. In this study, thirty water samples from the Caspian Sea were collected during 2018. Water samples were filtrated and the filtrate used for culture. The positive samples were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequencing. Free-living amoebae were identified in 50% (15/30) of the seawater samples. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of T2 and T4 genotypes. The results of the present study confirmed the presence of potentially pathogenic strains in seawater in this area. This awareness should be raised among environmental and public health professionals.
Isolation and genotyping of Acanthamoeba strains from water sources of Kermanshah, Iran
PubMed, 2019
Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoeba commonly found in environmental sources such as soil, water, and dust. This ubiquitous amoeba is the causative agent of amoebic keratitis (AK) and encephalitis. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the water sources of Kermanshah city, Iran. Sixty water samples were taken from different localities of Kermanshah including agricultural canals, rivers, and swimming pools. Filtration and cultivation were carried out on non-nutrient agar medium (NNA). The axenic cultivation was performed for all of the positive isolates. PCR analysis was performed on positive samples. Sequencing was done for 12 PCR products. Genotypes were identified by blast search and homology analysis. The obtained data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 16) software. Acanthamoeba spp. was found in 46 (76.66%) water samples and amoebae were grown in the TYI-S-33 medium. Sequencing of 12 samples proved that Acanthamoeba belonged to T4 (75%), T2 (8.34%), T5 (8.33%) and T11 (8.33%) genotypes. In this study, Acanthamoeba T4 (75%), T2 (8.34%), T5 (8.33%) and T11 (8.33%) genotypes were isolated from the water of Kermanshah city. Thus, hygiene consideration is recommended to prevent the contamination.
Isolation of Acanthamoeba species in surface waters of Gilan province-north of Iran
Parasitology Research, 2012
We analyzed water samples to determine the prevalence of free-living Acanthamoeba in water sources from Gilan, greater area, Iran. A total of 27 surface water samples were collected from environmental sources, including natural (rivers, lakes, springs, and lagoon) and freshwater source. The samples were filtrated and transferred to non-nutrient agar plates seeded with Escherichia coli and incubated for 2 to 7 days at 30°C or 42°C. The plates were examined by microscopy to morphologically identify Acanthamoeba species. Following DNA extraction, PCR was used to confirm the microscopically identification. A total of 19 out of 27 samples (70.3%) were positive for Acanthamoeba species based on the morphological criteria, and 14 (73.7%) were confirmed by PCR method. The high frequency of Acanthamoeba spp. in different environmental water sources of Gilan is an alert for the public health related to water sources in Iran.
Turkish Journal of Parasitology, 2016
Objective: Acanthamoeba is one of the most abundant free-living amoebas that is widely distributed in natural and artificial environment resources. Acanthamoeba pathogenic genotypes cause chronic human diseases including amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. The aim of this study was to determine and identify Acanthamoeba genotypes residing in pools and stagnant water in ponds in Sistan region in southeast Iran.