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Özcan Aykol ŞM, Zeybek Z. Interaction between Acanthamoeba and Staphylococcus. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2300551. [PMID: 38416601 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are infected by various bacteria in nature, and thus bacteria can protect themselves from adverse environmental conditions. Contrary to this ameba-bacteria relationship whether Acanthamoeba has antibacterial effects on bacteria is the different aspect of the relationship between these microorganisms. In this study, we investigate various Acanthamoeba strains have antibacterial effects on various Staphylococcus strains. Three environmental Acanthamoeba strains, isolated from various aquatic environments in Turkey, and Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC 50373 standard strains were used in the study. The antistaphylococcal effect of cell-free supernatant (CFS) obtained from these amoebae against 12 different Staphylococcus bacteria was investigated by colony counting method. In addition, the pathogenicity of the tested Acanthamoeba strains was determined using osmotolerance and thermotolerance tests. CFSs obtained from Acanthamoeba were found to have varying degrees of antistaphylococcal effects on various Staphylococcus strains (0%-100%). It was determined that the CFS of the standard Acanthamoeba strain showed 100% inhibitory effect against one clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (M2). Also, CFS of Ugöl strain showed 99.97% inhibitory effect against one clinical methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis strain (L3). It was determined that all Acanthamoeba isolates had no pathogenic potential. According to the results, it has been observed that Acanthamoeba produces antibacterial substance(s) against Staphylococcus bacteria and that the ameba-bacteria relationship may also result in the detriment of the bacteria. Furthermore, the current study indicates that new and natural antimicrobial agents from Acanthamoeba can be used as an alternative to infections caused by Staphylococcus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şevval M Özcan Aykol
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Biruni University Faculty of Pharmacy, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Zuhal Zeybek
- Department of Biology, İstanbul University Faculty of Science, İstanbul, Turkey
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Lee S, Alkathiri B, Jung JS, Kang N, Hwang J, Park SE, Hong Y, Park KM, Lee SH. Molecular detection and characterization of Acanthamoeba infection in dogs and its association with keratitis in Korea. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2024; 62:139-144. [PMID: 38443777 PMCID: PMC10915269 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba infection is associated with keratitis in humans; however, its association with keratitis in dogs remains unclear. To investigate this possibility, we collected 171 conjunctival swab samples from dogs with eye-related diseases (65 with keratitis and 106 without keratitis) at Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Korea, from August 2021 to September 2022. Polymerase chain reaction identified 9 samples (5.3%) as Acanthamoeba positive; of these, 3 were from dogs with keratitis (4.6%) and 6 were from dogs without keratitis (5.7%). Our results indicated no significant association between Acanthamoeba infection and keratitis, season, sex, or age. All Acanthamoeba organisms found in this study had the genotype T4, according to 18S ribosomal RNA analysis. Acanthamoeba infection in dogs might have only a limited association with keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subin Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Badriah Alkathiri
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Ji Seung Jung
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Nanyoung Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Jiyi Hwang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Sang-Eun Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Yeonchul Hong
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944,
Korea
| | - Kyung-Mee Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
| | - Seung-Hun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644,
Korea
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Aykur M, Dagci H. Molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri in soil samples using quantitative real-time PCR assay in Turkey; Hidden danger in the soil! Acta Trop 2023:106956. [PMID: 37244403 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Naegleria fowleri are pathogenic free-living amoeba (FLA) and are commonly found in the environment, particularly soil. This pathogenic FLA causes central nervous system-affecting granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) or primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) and can also cause keratitis and skin infections. In the present study, we aimed to determine the quantitative concentration of Acanthamoeba spp., B. mandrillaris, and N. fowleri in soil samples collected from places where human contact is high by using a qPCR assay in Izmir, Turkey. A total of 45.71% (n=16) of Acanthamoeba spp., 20% (n=7) of B. mandrillaris, and 17.4% (n=6) of N. fowleri were detected in five different soil sources by the qPCR assay. The quantitative concentration of Acanthamoeba spp., B. mandrillaris, and N. fowleri in various soil sources was calculated at 10 × 105 - 6 × 102, 47 × 104 to 39 × 103, and 9 × 103 - 8 × 102 plasmid copies/gr, respectively. While the highest quantitative concentration of Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris was determined in garden soil samples, N. fowleri was detected in potting soil samples. Three different genotypes T2 (18.75%), T4 (56.25%), and T5 (25%) were identified from Acanthamoeba-positive soil samples. Acanthamoeba T4 genotype was the most frequently detected genotype from soil samples and is also the most common genotype to cause infection in humans and animals. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first study to identify genotype T5 in soil samples from Turkey. In conclusion, people and especially children should be aware of the hidden danger in the garden and potting soil samples that come into contact most frequently. Public health awareness should be raised about human infections that may be encountered due to contact with the soil. Public health specialists should raise awareness about this hidden danger in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Aykur
- Department of Parasitology, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University Medical School, Tokat, Turkey; Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Hande Dagci
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, Turkey
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The role of Acanthamoeba spp. in biofilm communities: a systematic review. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2717-2729. [PMID: 34292376 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. have always caused disease in immunosuppressed patients, but since 1986, they have become a worldwide public health issue by causing infection in healthy contact lens wearers. Amoebae of the Acanthamoeba genus are broadly distributed in nature, living either freely or as parasites, and are frequently associated with biofilms throughout the environment. These biofilms provide the parasite with protection against external aggression, thus favoring its increased pathogeny. This review aims to assess observational studies on the association between Acanthamoeba spp. and biofilms, opening potential lines of research on this severe ocular infection. A systematic literature search was conducted in May 2020 in the following databases: PubMed Central®/Medline, LILACS, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE®. The studies were selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria specifically defined for this review. Electronic research recovered 353 publications in the literature. However, none of the studies met the inclusion criterion of biofilm-producing Acanthamoeba spp., inferring that the parasite does not produce biofilms. Nonetheless, 78 studies were classified as potentially included regarding any association of Acanthamoeba spp. and biofilms. These studies were allocated across six different locations (hospital, aquatic, ophthalmic and dental environments, biofilms produced by bacteria, and other places). Acanthamoeba species use biofilms produced by other microorganisms for their benefit, in addition to them providing protection to and facilitating the dissemination of pathogens residing in them.
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Sousa-Ramos D, Reyes-Batlle M, Bellini NK, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Free-Living Amoebae in Soil Samples from Santiago Island, Cape Verde. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071460. [PMID: 34361894 PMCID: PMC8306126 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed protozoa, which contain some groups considered as pathogenic microorganisms. These members are able to produce several opportunistic diseases including epithelial disorders, such as keratitis and fatal encephalitis. Even though they have been reported in numerous sources, such as soils, dust and water, there is no legislation related to the presence of these protozoa in soil-related environments worldwide. Therefore, there are no established prevention or disinfection protocols to advise the population regarding FLA infections or eliminate these microorganisms from human-related environments to date. Acanthamoeba spp. are the most common FLA isolated in soil samples, which is also the most common genera found in clinical cases. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of potentially pathogenic FLA in human-related soil samples of Santiago Island, Cabo Verde. A total of 26 soil samples were seeded in non-nutrient agar plates (2%), incubated at 26 °C, and monitored daily to evaluate the presence of FLA. DNA was extracted from those plates on which there was suspected FLA growth, and PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene was carried out. A total of 17 from the 26 analysed samples were positive for FLA, where Acanthamoeba is the most abundant isolated genus (14/17; 82.4%), with the T4 genotype being the most common (13/14; 92.9%), followed by the T5 genotype, A. lenticulata (1/14; 7.1%). Moreover, Vermamoeba vermiformis, Stenamoeba dejonckheerei and Vannella pentlandi were isolated in three other samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of FLA presence in Cape Verde and the first report of V. vermiformis in beach sand worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djeniffer Sousa-Ramos
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.R.-B.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Natália K. Bellini
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos 13560-590, SP, Brazil
| | - Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.R.-B.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.R.-B.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
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Bilateral Sterile Pyogranulomatous Keratitis in a Dog. Case Rep Vet Med 2019; 2019:8516981. [PMID: 31531261 PMCID: PMC6719276 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8516981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To describe the clinicopathologic features of bilateral sterile pyogranulomatous keratitis in a 16-year-old spayed female rat terrier dog. Methods The dog presented one year prior due to ulceration of the right and left corneas. The ulcers healed but plaques developed on both eyes which progressed, during the course of one year, to cover both the left and the right corneas. Due to the animal's loss of sight and its painful condition, bilateral enucleation was performed with submission of the eyes for histopathology. Results Microscopic examination revealed bilateral pyogranulomatous keratitis absent of etiological organisms. Conclusions To the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of bilateral sterile pyogranulomatous keratitis in a dog.
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Detection and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. in stray cats from Madrid, Spain. Exp Parasitol 2018; 188:8-12. [PMID: 29501695 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. is a widespread protozoan that has been isolated from air, dust, soil, water and biological samples. An opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals, it may cause ocular keratitis, encephalitis, and even multisystem disease. The frequency of Acanthamoeba in animals is unknown. The aim of present study was determine the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in immunocompromised stray cats - animals possibly more likely to harbour the infection given their immunocompromised status and frequenting of contaminated environments. Of 307 cats examined, 55 were positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukaemia virus and therefore included in the study. Corneal scrapings were obtained to isolate Acanthamoeba spp. by culture and molecular detection by conventional and real time PCR. None of the samples examined directly by molecular methods were positive for Acanthamoeba spp. However, two (3.6%) cases of the cultured samples provided positive results, which were confirmed by subsequent molecular analysis. Sequencing assigned one isolate to genotype T4 and the other to T2. Since Acanthamoeba spp. may also infect animals and humans, the present findings may raise some public health and veterinary concerns.
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Karakavuk M, Aykur M, Şahar EA, Karakuş M, Aldemir D, Döndüren Ö, Özdemir HG, Can H, Gürüz AY, Dağcı H, Döşkaya M. First time identification of Acanthamoeba genotypes in the cornea samples of wild birds; Is Acanthamoeba keratitis making the predatory birds a target? Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:137-142. [PMID: 28807756 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba which can be isolated from environment and among others well known as an opportunist protozoan parasite causing infections in humans and animals. Eyes are extremely important for the wild birds and losing sight ability due to Acanthamoeba can be dangerous. The studies on Acanthamoeba infection in wild birds is very few in world and Turkey therefore we aimed to screen deceased wild birds found in İzmir and Manisa provinces located in western Turkey using PCR and non-nutrition agar (NNA) plate method. Cornea samples were obtained from 18 deceased wild birds. During the external examination, signs of keratitis were observed in two Eurasian sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus). All of the corneal samples were analyzed by two PCR methods and NNA plate. According to results, the Acanthamoeba positivity in corneal samples was 16.6% and 5.5% by PCR and plate method, respectively. According to sequencing data, two of isolates belonged to genotype T5 and one was genotype T4. In conclusion, Acanthamoeba infection was detected in wild bird cornea samples with/without keratitis for the first time in the world. The result of this study also show that Acanthamoeba can be a cause of keratitis in wild birds of Turkey and thus these predator birds can be a target of other wild animals due to loss of sight ability. In terms of public health, these results show the importance of wild birds as a source of Acanthamoeba infection in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Aykur
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Esra Atalay Şahar
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Karakuş
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Aldemir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludağ University Institute of Health Sciences, Görükle Campus, Nilüfer, Bursa, Turkey; İzmir Natural Life Park Branch Directorate, Municipality of İzmir, Sasalı, Çiğli, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ömer Döndüren
- The Protection and Development Union of İzmir Bird Paradise, Sasalı, Çiğli, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Gökhan Özdemir
- The Protection and Development Union of İzmir Bird Paradise, Sasalı, Çiğli, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Ege University Faculty of Science, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hande Dağcı
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Karakuş M, Aykur M, Özbel Y, Töz S, Dağcı H. Molecular detection and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. among stray dogs using conjunctival swab sampling. Acta Trop 2016; 164:23-26. [PMID: 27545086 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is one of the most common free-living amoebas (FLA) that present in environment. In humans, Acanthamoeba can cause an infection of the eye termed Acanthamoeba keratitis, which mostly occurs in contact lens wearers. In the present study, we aimed to screen the presence of Acanthamoeba DNA in stray dogs using previously collected conjunctival swab samples in a hyper-endemic area for canine leishmaniasis. Totally, 184 dogs were included in the study and 27 of them (14.6%) were found positive for Acanthamoeba according to the 18s rRNA gene sequencing. Two different genotypes (T4 and T5) were identified and T5 was firstly reported in Turkey in the present study. Statistical analysis was performed and no correlation was found between Leishmania and Acanthamoeba positivity (P<0.05). To best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted to screen Acanthamoeba among stray dogs. Further studies are necessary to reveal the infection status and genotypes among dogs and its possible correlation with leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Karakuş
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Near East University, Faculty of Science and Letters, Molecular Biology and Genetic, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Mehmet Aykur
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Özbel
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Seray Töz
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hande Dağcı
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
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Wagner C, Reyes-Batlle M, Hernán A, Rojas E, Pérez G, López-Arencibia A, Sifaoui I, Martínez-Carretero E, Piñero JE, Valladares B, Lorenzo-Morales J. High occurrence of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in soil sources from Bolívar State, Venezuela. Acta Parasitol 2016; 61:466-70. [PMID: 27447209 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2016-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba are causative agents of keratitis and encephalitis that often may end fatal in humans and other animals. In the present study, twenty-seven soil samples were collected in the Bolivar State in Venezuela and checked for the presence of Acanthamoeba. Samples were cultivated onto 2% non-nutrient agar plates seeded with a layer of heat killed E. coli. Amplification by PCR and sequencing of the DF3 region of the 18S rDNA of Acanthamoeba was carried out in order to confirm morphological identification of the amoebae. Furthermore, Acanthamoeba spp. was isolated from 51.8% of soil samples. Sequencing of the DF3 region of the 18S rDNA resulted in the identification of genotype T4 in all samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of genotype T4 in soil sources from Venezuela. Further studies should be carried out in this State and in the country in order to determine the current occurrence of Acanthamoeba in Venezuelan environments.
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Acanthamoeba genotypes T2, T4, and T11 in soil sources from El Hierro island, Canary Islands, Spain. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2953-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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