Isolation and identification of pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain from water sources (original) (raw)
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Parasitology Research, 2020
Free-living amoeba (FLA) research in the Philippines is still in its infancy but has, by far, demonstrated the presence of potentially pathogenic species. Acanthamoeba may cause sight-threatening and central nervous system infections to humans, yet its epidemiologic distribution from local environmental sources is yet to be defined. The present study aimed to provide a baseline epidemiologic distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in freshwater systems in the Philippines and establish potential pathogenicity of isolates through thermo-tolerance assay. A total of 63 water samples were collected from 13 freshwater systems all over the Philippine archipelago. The low-volume (50 ml) water samples were processed and cultured on non-nutrient agar lawned with Escherichia coli and observed for amoebic growth using light microscopy. Amoebic culture demonstrated 14.28% (9/63) positivity while further molecular testing of culture-positive plates using Acanthamoeba-specific primers demonstrated 100% (9/9) confirmation of Acanthamoeba species. Genotyping of Acanthamoeba isolates revealed T1, T3, T4, T5, T7, T11, and T15 genotypes. Thermo-tolerance assay demonstrated that T5 and T7 genotypes were potentially pathogenic strains. The evidence of environmental distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in the freshwater systems in the Philippines and thermo-tolerance profile of isolates are significant aspects of amoeba study in public health and calls for initiatives in the dissemination of relevant information and the expansion of knowledge, awareness, and policies on pathogenic waterborne amoeba to mitigate, prevent, detect, and report cases of human infections.
2013
Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocytosis. The ability of Acanthamoeba to feed on gram-negative bacteria, as well as to harbor potential pathogens suggests that both amoebae and bacteria are involved in complex interactions, which may play important roles in the environment and in human health. We report here the isolation of three Acanthamoeba strains, two are potentially pathogenic and the 3 one is potentially nonpathogenic from the Nile River and tap water sources from different localities in greater Cairo, Egypt and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primer. We studied Acanthamoeba species interactions with certain types of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the same water sources, by direct microscopically observation of a simple "agar plate" experimental system and have confirmed the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria, using transmission electron microscopy and tested the abilit...
2018
1 Proyecto Cy MA, Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, UIICSE, FES IZTACALA, UNAM. Av. de los Barrios, No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México, C.P. 54090. 2 Laboratorio de Análisis y Química de ADN UNAM. Av. De los Barrios No. 1, Col. Los, Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México. C.P. 54090. 3 UBIMED, FES IZTACALA, UNAM. Av. de los Barrios, No. 1, Los Reyes, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México, C.P. 54090.
2013
Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocytosis. The ability of Acanthamoeba to feed on gram-negative bacteria, as well as to harbor potential pathogens suggests that both amoebae and bacteria are involved in complex interactions, which may play important roles in the environment and in human health. We report here the isolation of three Acanthamoeba strains, two are potentially pathogenic and the 3 rd one is potentially nonpathogenic from the Nile River and tap water sources from different localities in greater Cairo, Egypt and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primer. We studied Acanthamoeba species interactions with certain types of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the same water sources, by direct microscopically observation of a simple "agar plate" experimental system and have confirmed the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria, using transmission electron microscopy and tested the ability of both bacterial strains and various Acanthamoeba isolates to survive within each other's.
Parasitology Research, 2018
Acanthamoeba are free-living amoebae found in various ecological environments, and they are major microbial predators. Some Acanthamoeba species can cause keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and infections of the organs. This is the first study in Latvia describing Acanthamoeba detection by molecular techniques and genotyping using tap water from different sources. An 18S rRNA gene investigation of the 20 Acanthamoeba isolates suggested that 19 belonged to the hazardous T4 genotype and one sample was T12. The results indicate that tap water in Latvia may be a source of Acanthamoeba that is potentially pathogenic to humans. All obtained sequences were submitted to the GenBank database under the following accession numbers: MG386295-MG386314.
Acta Parasitologica, 2018
The genus Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba widely distributed in various aquatic environments. It is an etiologic cause of amoebic encephalitis and keratitis particularly for immunocompromised individuals. The purpose of the present study was to investigate Acanthamoeba species prevalence in household and hospital potable water in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt, and to employ sequencing methods to identify positive Acanthamoeba species isolates and their potential health risks. Sixty tap water samples (30 household and 30 governmental and private hospital settings) collected from Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt were filtered, cultured on non-nutrient agar, identified by morphotyping keys after staining with Giemsa stain and then confirmed by PCR using Acanthamoeba specific primers. Twenty positive samples were successfully genetically characterized and phylogenetically analyzed to identify Acanthamoeba species. The total detection rate for Acanthamoeba was 48/60 (80%); Acanthamoeba contamination in water collected from domestic houses was higher than in hospitals; 27/30 (90%) versus 21/30 (70%) with statistical significant value (P value = 0.05). Sequencing of 20 positive isolates revealed Acanthamoeba T4 in 65% and T2 in 35%. To our knowledge, this is the first research that documents the occurrence and phylogeny of Acanthamoeba species in Beni-Suef, Egypt. The presence of a higher percentage of Acanthamoeba species in tap water, in particular T4, highlights the potential health hazards for immunocompromised individuals and emphasizes the urgent need for the implementation of effective filtration and disinfection measures.
Journal of Water and Health
The present study aims to identify the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in three recreational lakes in Malaysia. Thirty water samples were collected by purposive sampling between June and July 2022. Physical parameters of water quality were measured in situ while chemical and microbiological analyses were performed in the laboratory. The samples were vacuum filtered through nitrate filter, cultured onto non-nutrient agar and observed microscopically for amoebic growth. DNAs from positive samples were extracted and made to react with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Physiological tolerance tests were performed for all Acanthamoeba-positive samples. The presence of Acanthamoeba was found in 26 of 30 water samples by PCR. The highest rate in lake waters contaminated with amoeba was in Biru Lake (100%), followed by Titiwangsa Lake (80%) and Shah Alam Lake (80%). ORP, water temperature, pH and DO were found to be significantly correlated with the pre...
Occurrence of Potentially Pathogenic Bacterial-Endosymbionts in Acanthamoeba Spp
Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 2015
Background: Acanthamoeba- bacteria interactions enable pathogenic bacteria to tolerate harsh conditions and lead to transmission to the susceptible host. The present study was aimed to address the presence of bacterial endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba isolated from recreational water sources of Tehran, Iran. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study regarding occurrence of bacteria in environmental Acanthamoeba spp. in Iran. Methods: A total of 75 samples of recreational water sources were collected. Samples were cultured on non- nutrient agar 1.5% plates. Positive Acanthamoeba spp. were axenically grown. DNA extraction and PCR reaction was performed using JDP1-2 primers. All positive samples of Acanthamoeba were examined for the presence of endosymbionts using staining and molecular methods. The PCR products were then sequenced in order to determine the genotypes of Acanthamoeba and bacteria genera. Results: Out of 75 samples, 16 (21.3%) plates were positive for Acanthamoeb...
Detection of Acanthamoeba spp. in two major water reservoirs in the Philippines
Journal of Water and Health, 2020
Water reservoirs are important manmade structures providing water security to deliver clean and safe water for drinking and other purposes to the community. Eighty water samples were collected from Magat and Ipo water reservoir using purposive sampling between November 2018 and January 2019. Water samples were collected in sterile containers for testing. The samples were cultured in non-nutrient agar and lawned with Escherichia coli and incubated at 33 °C. Twelve out of the 80 (15%) water samples were positive for amoebic growth. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed double-walled cystic stages and were initially identified as Acanthamoeba spp. based on morphological characteristic in reference to Page's established criteria. Their extracted DNAs were used in polymerase chain reaction using JDP1 and JDP2 primers and confirmed the presence of Acanthamoeba DNA in agarose gel electrophoresis. Aligned sequences from PCR products were deposited in GenBank under access...
BMC microbiology, 2018
Free-living amoeba (FLA) are wide-spread protozoa that are found in different environmental sources including water, soil, dust, hospital units and ventilation areas. These amoebas can act as opportunistic or non-opportunistic pathogens. Among FLAs, some genera such as Acanthamoeba are important because of their potential pathogenic ability in humans. The purpose of this study is to identify of Acanthamoeba isolated from pond water of parks in a tropical and subtropical region in the Middle East, and its relation with physicochemical parameters.From August to December 2015, 90 samples were collected from pond water of parks of 13 regions of Mashhad City. Physicochemical parameters were measured in situ. After filtering, the samples were cultured on Bacto-agar enriched with Escherichia coli. PCR analysis was conducted on the culture-positive samples, and then the PCR products were sequenced. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software and Fisher's Exact and Mann-Whitney t...