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Yamanouchi K, Arima H, Sakamoto Y, Kanto K, Itoh K, Tsujiguchi T. Isolation and habitat analysis of Balamuthia mandrillaris from soil. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:163. [PMID: 38499865 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08182-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba that causes meningoencephalitis in mammals. Over 200 cases of infection were reported worldwide, with a fatality rate of over 95%. A clear route of infection was unknown for a long time until a girl died of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) in California, USA, in 2003 due to infection with B. mandrillaris detected in a potted plant. Since then, epidemiological studies were conducted worldwide to detect B. mandrillaris in soil and other environmental samples. We previously reported the isolation of B. mandrillaris from the soil in Japan; however, the existing B. mandrillaris culture method with BM3 medium and COS-7 cells was unsuccessful. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to conduct soil analysis to determine the growth conditions of B. mandrillaris. B. mandrillaris-positive soils were defined as soils from which B. mandrillaris was isolated and environmental DNA was PCR-positive. Soils inhabited by B. mandrillaris were alkaline, with high electrical conductivity and characteristics of nutrient-rich soils of loam and clay loam. The results of this study suggest a possible reason for the high prevalence of GAE caused by B. mandrillaris among individuals employed in agriculture-related occupations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Yamanouchi
- Department of Bioscience and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, 036-8564, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Arima
- Department of International Health and Medical Anthropology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yamato Sakamoto
- Department of Bioscience and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kanto
- Department of Bioscience and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Itoh
- Education Center for Disaster and Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Takakiyo Tsujiguchi
- Education Center for Disaster and Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, 036-8564, Japan
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2
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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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3
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Yao S, Chen X, Qian L, Sun S, Zhao C, Bai Z, Chen Z, Wu Y. Diagnosing Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic meningoencephalitis in a 64-year-old woman from the Southwest of China. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2023; 61:183-193. [PMID: 37258265 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic encephalitis (BAE) can cause a fatal condition if diagnosis is delayed or effective treatment is lacking. Patients with BAE have been previously reported in 12 provinces of China, with skin lesions being the primary symptom and encephalitis developing after several years. However, a significantly lower number of cases has been reported in Southwest China. Here we report an aggressive BAE case of a 64-year-old woman farmer with a history of skin lesions on her left hand. She was admitted to our hospital due to symptoms of dizziness, headache, cough, vomiting, and gait instability. She was initially diagnosed with syphilitic meningoencephalitis and received a variety of empirical treatment that failed to improve her symptoms. Finally, she was diagnosed with BAE combined with amebic pneumonia using next-generation sequencing (NGS), qRT-PCR, sequence analysis, and imaging studies. She died approximately 3 weeks after the onset. This case highlights that the rapid development of encephalitis can be a prominent clinical manifestation of Balamuthia mandrillaris infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhua Yao
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, Yunnan province, China
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Lian Qian
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Shizheng Sun
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Chunjing Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Zongkai Bai
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Zhaofang Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Youcong Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Various brain-eating amoebae: the protozoa, the pathogenesis, and the disease. Front Med 2021; 15:842-866. [PMID: 34825341 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0865-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Among various genera of free-living amoebae prevalent in nature, some members are identified as causative agents of human encephalitis, in which Naegleria fowleri followed by Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris have been successively discovered. As the three dominant genera responsible for infections, Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia work as opportunistic pathogens of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, whereas Naegleria induces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis mostly in healthy children and young adults as a more violent and deadly disease. Due to the lack of typical symptoms and laboratory findings, all these amoebic encephalitic diseases are difficult to diagnose. Considering that subsequent therapies are also affected, all these brain infections cause significant mortality worldwide, with more than 90% of the cases being fatal. Along with global warming and population explosion, expanding areas of human and amoebae activity in some regions lead to increased contact, resulting in more serious infections and drawing increased public attention. In this review, we summarize the present information of these pathogenic free-living amoebae, including their phylogeny, classification, biology, and ecology. The mechanisms of pathogenesis, immunology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapies are also discussed.
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Logan-Jackson A, Rose JB. Cooccurrence of Five Pathogenic Legionella spp. and Two Free-Living Amoebae Species in a Complete Drinking Water System and Cooling Towers. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111407. [PMID: 34832563 PMCID: PMC8619718 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Legionella species grow optimally inside free-living amoebae to concentrations that increase risks to those who are exposed. The aim of this study was to screen a complete drinking water system and cooling towers for the occurrence of Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria fowleri and their cooccurrence with Legionella pneumophila, Legionella anisa, Legionella micdadei, Legionella bozemanii, and Legionella longbeachae. A total of 42 large-volume water samples, including 12 from the reservoir (water source), 24 from two buildings (influents to the buildings and exposure sites (taps)), and six cooling towers were collected and analyzed using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). N. fowleri cooccurred with L. micdadei in 76 (32/42) of the water samples. In the building water system, the concentrations of N. fowleri and L. micdadei ranged from 1.5 to 1.6 Log10 gene copies (GC)/100 mL, but the concentrations of species increased in the cooling towers. The data obtained in this study illustrate the ecology of pathogenic Legionella species in taps and cooling towers. Investigating Legionella’s ecology in drinking and industrial waters will hopefully lead to better control of these pathogenic species in drinking water supply systems and cooling towers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alshae Logan-Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Joan B. Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
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Retana Moreira L, Vargas Ramírez D, Linares F, Prescilla Ledezma A, Vaglio Garro A, Osuna A, Lorenzo Morales J, Abrahams Sandí E. Isolation of Acanthamoeba T5 from Water: Characterization of Its Pathogenic Potential, Including the Production of Extracellular Vesicles. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9020144. [PMID: 32098034 PMCID: PMC7168589 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9020144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is a genus of free-living amoebae widely distributed in nature, associated with the development of encephalitis and keratitis. Despite the fact that it is common to find genotype T5 in environmental samples, only a few cases have been associated with clinical cases in humans. The wide distribution of Acanthamoeba, the characteristic of being amphizoic and the severity of the disease motivate researchers to focus on the isolation of these organisms, but also in demonstrating direct and indirect factors that could indicate a possible pathogenic potential. Here, we performed the characterization of the pathogenic potential of an Acanthamoeba T5 isolate collected from a water source in a hospital. Osmo- and thermotolerance, the secretion of proteases and the effect of trophozoites over cell monolayers were analyzed by different methodologies. Additionally, we confirm the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of this isolate incubated at two different temperatures, and the presence of serine and cysteine proteases in these vesicles. Finally, using atomic force microscopy, we determined some nanomechanical properties of the secreted vesicles and found a higher value of adhesion in the EVs obtained at 37 °C, which could have implications in the parasite´s survival and damaging potential in two different biological environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Retana Moreira
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
- Correspondence: (L.R.M.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Daniel Vargas Ramírez
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
| | - Fátima Linares
- Centro de Instrumentación Científica (CIC), Universidad de Granada, Granada 18071, Spain;
| | - Alexa Prescilla Ledezma
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular (CTS 183), Instituto de Biotecnología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, Granada 18071, Spain; (A.P.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Annette Vaglio Garro
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular (CTS 183), Instituto de Biotecnología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, Granada 18071, Spain; (A.P.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Jacob Lorenzo Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain;
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38203, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Abrahams Sandí
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 2060, Costa Rica;
- Correspondence: (L.R.M.); (E.A.S.)
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Potentially pathogenic genera of free-living amoebae coexisting in a thermal spring. Exp Parasitol 2018; 195:54-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Hikal W, Dkhil M. Nested PCR assay for the rapid detection of Naegleria fowleri from swimming pools in Egypt. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Castro-Artavia E, Retana-Moreira L, Lorenzo-Morales J, Abrahams-Sandí E. Potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotype T4 isolated from dental units and emergency combination showers. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2017; 112:817-821. [PMID: 29211242 PMCID: PMC5719550 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760170147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba is the genus of free-living amoebae that is most frequently isolated in nature. To date, 20 Acanthamoeba genotypes have been described. Genotype T4 is responsible for approximately 90% of encephalitis and keratitis cases. Due to the ubiquitous presence of amoebae, isolation from environmental sources is not uncommon; to determine the clinical importance of an isolation, it is necessary to have evidence of the pathogenic potential of amoebae. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to physiologically characterise 8 Acanthamoeba T4 isolates obtained from dental units and emergency combination showers and to determine their pathogenic potential by employing different laboratory techniques. METHODS Eight axenic cultures of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 were used in pathogenic potential assays. Osmotolerance, thermotolerance, determination and characterisation of extracellular proteases and evaluation of cytopathic effects in MDCK cells were performed. FINDINGS All of the isolates were osmotolerant, thermotolerant and had serine proteases from 44-122 kDa. Two isolates had cytopathic effects on the MDCK cell monolayer. MAIN CONCLUSION The presence of Acanthamoeba T4 with pathogenic potential in areas such as those tested in this study reaffirms the need for adequate cleaning and maintenance protocols to reduce the possibility of infection with free-living amoebae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Castro-Artavia
- University of Costa Rica, Faculty of Microbiology, Department of Parasitology, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.,University of Costa Rica, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Lissette Retana-Moreira
- University of Costa Rica, Faculty of Microbiology, Department of Parasitology, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.,University of Costa Rica, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- University of La Laguna, Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Abrahams-Sandí
- University of Costa Rica, Faculty of Microbiology, Department of Parasitology, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.,University of Costa Rica, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
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10
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Hsu TK, Chen JS, Hsu BM, Chen YP, Leu TH, Huang TY, Hsu YW, Wu SF. Application of modified JDP-DGGE-based molecular genotyping method to predict Acanthamoeba genotype and to analyse community diversity in aquatic environments. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:437-446. [PMID: 29248979 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5719-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. are ubiquitous, opportunistic potential human pathogens, causing granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and keratitis. They are classified as protozoa, and they include at least 20 different genotypes (T1-T20) based on variation in the 18S rRNA gene. Acanthamoeba spp. are diverse in their production of toxins and in their ability to resist environmental factors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a rapid genotyping method for Acanthamoeba spp. in aquatic environments. Although the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method for analysing microbial genotypes is potentially useful for rapid identification of aquatic environmental species, the technique has been compromised by artificial DGGE profiles in which many DNA fragments of identical sequences are segregated and displayed as different bands. The results indicate that PCR-DGGE genotyping with a GC clamp results in many segregated weaker bands of identical DNA sequences. In contrast, PCR-DGGE genotyping without a GC clamp displays genotype-dependent patterns in the major bands. Thus, DGGE without a GC clamp was performed to compare genotyping efficiency for Acanthamoeba in 21 water samples from rivers and reservoirs in Taiwan. Among them, four samples were found to demonstrate a banding pattern with more than one major band, and these band profiles of major bands were identical to those of positive controls. DNA cloning further confirmed that the sequences of the major bands were identical. In conclusion, more than two genotypes of Acanthamoeba in the four samples were identified by this method, suggesting that PCR-DGGE genotyping without a GC clamp is a useful approach for studying the diversity of Acanthamoeba communities. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsui-Kang Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County, 62102, Taiwan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Sheng Chen
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Mu Hsu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Pin Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Hsueh Leu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Yi Huang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Hsu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County, 62102, Taiwan.
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Moreno Y, Moreno-Mesonero L, Amorós I, Pérez R, Morillo JA, Alonso JL. Multiple identification of most important waterborne protozoa in surface water used for irrigation purposes by 18S rRNA amplicon-based metagenomics. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 221:102-111. [PMID: 29066287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Understanding waterborne protozoan parasites (WPPs) diversity has important implications in public health. In this study, we evaluated a NGS-based method as a detection approach to identify simultaneously most important WPPs using 18S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. A set of primers to target the V4 18S rRNA region of WPPs such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia sp., Blastocystis sp., Entamoeba spp, Toxoplasma sp. and free-living amoebae (FLA) was designed. In order to optimize PCR conditions before sequencing, both a mock community with a defined composition of representative WPPs and a real water sample inoculated with specific WPPs DNA were prepared. Using the method proposed in this study, we have detected the presence of Giardia intestinalis, Acanthamoeba castellanii, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica and Blastocystis sp. at species level in real irrigation water samples. Our results showed that untreated surface irrigation water in open fields can provide an important source of WPPs. Therefore, the methodology proposed in this study can establish a basis for an accurate and effective diagnostic of WPPs to provide a better understanding of the risk associated to irrigation water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Moreno
- Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - L Moreno-Mesonero
- Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - I Amorós
- Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - R Pérez
- Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - J A Morillo
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEZA-CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, La Cañada, Almería, Spain
| | - J L Alonso
- Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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Moreno-Mesonero L, Moreno Y, Alonso JL, Ferrús MA. Detection of viable Helicobacter pylori inside free-living amoebae in wastewater and drinking water samples from Eastern Spain. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:4103-4112. [PMID: 28707344 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is one of the most concerning emerging waterborne pathogens. It has been suggested that it could survive in water inside free-living amoebae (FLA), but nobody has studied this relationship in the environment yet. Thus, we aimed to detect viable H. pylori cells from inside FLA in water samples. Sixty-nine wastewater and 31 drinking water samples were collected. FLA were purified and identified by PCR and sequencing. For exclusively detecting H. pylori inside FLA, samples were exposed to sodium hypochlorite and assayed by specific PMA-qPCR, DVC-FISH and culture. FLA were detected in 38.7% of drinking water and 79.7% of wastewater samples, even after disinfection. In wastewater, Acanthamoeba spp. and members of the family Vahlkampfiidae were identified. In drinking water, Acanthamoeba spp. and Echinamoeba and/or Vermamoeba were present. In 39 (58.2%) FLA-positive samples, H. pylori was detected by PMA-qPCR. After DVC-FISH, 21 (31.3%) samples harboured viable H. pylori internalized cells. H. pylori was cultured from 10 wastewater samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report that demonstrates that H. pylori can survive inside FLA in drinking water and wastewater, strongly supporting the hypothesis that FLA could play an important role in the transmission of H. pylori to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moreno-Mesonero
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - Yolanda Moreno
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - José Luis Alonso
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - M Antonia Ferrús
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain.,Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
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Niyyati M, Karamati SA, Lorenzo Morales J, Lasjerdi Z. Isolation of Balamuthia mandrillaris from soil samples in North-Western Iran. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:541-5. [PMID: 26468147 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4770-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Balamuthia mandrillaris is an opportunistic free-living amoebae (FLA) which has been reported as the causative agent of the fatal Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE). Currently, the transmission dynamics of this pathogen remain poorly understood although the organism has been associated with soils, and thus, soil exposure has been identified as a risk factor for this pathogenic amoeba. Nevertheless, environmental isolation of B. mandrillaris is a rare event and strains of this amoebic species have been isolated from soil and dust sources only in seven previous reports (Iran, Mexico, USA, Peru, Costa Rica, Guinea Bissau, and Jamaica). In Iran, a previous study reported the isolation of B. mandrillaris from dust collected in the city of Tehran and free of known infectious involvement. Therefore, in this work, 55 soil samples collected from public and recreational areas of East Azerbaijan, North-Western Iran, were investigated for the presence of this pathogen. Samples were cultured in 2% non-nutrient agar plates and were monitored for the presence of B. mandrillaris-like trophozoites and/or cysts. Those samples that were positive for these amoebae by microscopic criteria were then confirmed by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of B. mandrillaris. The obtained results revealed the presence of this emerging pathogen in 5 of 55 samples included in the study. Homology analysis of the obtained DNA sequences revealed high similarity with previously isolated strains from clinical and environmental sources. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of B. mandrillaris from soil sources in Iran related to human activity and the second time that this pathogen is isolated from the environment in this country.
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14
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Plutzer J, Karanis P. Neglected waterborne parasitic protozoa and their detection in water. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 101:318-332. [PMID: 27281375 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Outbreak incidents raise the question of whether the less frequent aetiological agents of outbreaks are really less frequent in water. Alternatively, waterborne transmission could be relevant, but the lack of attention and rapid, sensitive methods to recover and detect the exogenous stages in water may keep them under-recognized. High quality information on the prevalence and detection of less frequent waterborne protozoa, such as Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Isospora belli, Balantidium coli, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica and other free-living amoebae (FLA), are not available. This present paper discusses the detection tools applied for the water surveillance of the neglected waterborne protozoa mentioned above and provides future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Plutzer
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China; National Public Health Center, National Directorate of Environmental Health, Environmental Health Testing Laboratory, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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15
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Scheikl U, Tsao HF, Horn M, Indra A, Walochnik J. Free-living amoebae and their associated bacteria in Austrian cooling towers: a 1-year routine screening. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3365-74. [PMID: 27177720 PMCID: PMC4980419 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5097-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely spread in the environment and known to cause rare but often serious infections. Besides this, FLA may serve as vehicles for bacterial pathogens. In particular, Legionella pneumophila is known to replicate within FLA thereby also gaining enhanced infectivity. Cooling towers have been the source of outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in the past and are thus usually screened for legionellae on a routine basis, not considering, however, FLA and their vehicle function. The aim of this study was to incorporate a screening system for host amoebae into a Legionella routine screening. A new real-time PCR-based screening system for various groups of FLA was established. Three cooling towers were screened every 2 weeks over the period of 1 year for FLA and Legionella spp., by culture and molecular methods in parallel. Altogether, 83.3 % of the cooling tower samples were positive for FLA, Acanthamoeba being the dominating genus. Interestingly, 69.7 % of the cooling tower samples were not suitable for the standard Legionella screening due to their high organic burden. In the remaining samples, positivity for Legionella spp. was 25 % by culture, but overall positivity was 50 % by molecular methods. Several amoebal isolates revealed intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Scheikl
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Han-Fei Tsao
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Horn
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Indra
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Clinical Molecular Biology, AGES, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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16
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LATIFI AR, NIYYATI M, LORENZO-MORALES J, HAGHIGHI A, SEYYED TABAEI SJ, LASJERDI Z. Presence of Balamuthia mandrillaris in hot springs from Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:2456-61. [PMID: 27086943 PMCID: PMC9150520 DOI: 10.1017/s095026881600073x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Balamuthia mandrillaris is an opportunistic free-living amoeba that has been reported to cause cutaneous lesions and Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis. The biology and environmental distribution of B. mandrillaris is still poorly understood and isolation of this pathogen from the environment is a rare event. Previous studies have reported that the presence of B. mandrillaris in the environment in Iran may be common. However, no clinical cases have been reported so far in this country. In the present study, a survey was conducted in order to evaluate the presence of B. mandrillaris in hot-spring samples of northern Iran. A total of 66 water samples were analysed using morphological and molecular tools. Positive samples by microscopy were confirmed by performing PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene of B. mandrillaris. Sequencing of the positive amplicons was also performed to confirm morphological data. Two of the 66 collected water samples were positive for B. mandrillaris after morphological and molecular identification. Interestingly, both positive hot springs had low pH values and temperatures ranging from 32 °C to 42 °C. Many locals and tourists use both hot springs due to their medicinal properties and thus contact with water bodies containing the organism increases the likelihood of infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of B. mandrillaris from hot-spring sources related to human activity. Therefore, B. mandrillaris should be considered as a possible causative agent if cases of encephalitis are suspected following immersion in hot springs in addition to Acanthamoeba and Naegleria.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. R. LATIFI
- Research Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M. NIYYATI
- Research Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - J. LORENZO-MORALES
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - A. HAGHIGHI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. J. SEYYED TABAEI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Z. LASJERDI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Chang OH, Liu F, Knopp E, Muehlenbachs A, Cope JR, Ali I, Thompson R, George E. Centrofacial Balamuthiasis: case report of a rare cutaneous amebic infection. J Cutan Pathol 2016; 43:892-7. [PMID: 27251900 DOI: 10.1111/cup.12748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amebae are ubiquitous in our environment, but rarely cause cutaneous infection. Balamuthia mandrillaris has a predilection for infecting skin of the central face. Infection may be restricted to the skin or associated with life-threatening central nervous system (CNS) involvement. We report a case of a 91-year-old woman, who presented with a non-healing red plaque over her right cheek. Several punch biopsies exhibited non-specific granulomatous inflammation without demonstrable fungi or mycobacteria in histochemical stains. She was treated empirically for granulomatous rosacea, but the lesion continued to progress. A larger incisional biopsy was performed in which amebae were observed in hematoxylin-eosin stained sections. These were retrospectively apparent in the prior punch biopsy specimens. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction studies identified the organisms as Balamuthia mandrillaris. Cutaneous infection by B. mandrillaris is a rare condition that is sometimes complicated by life-threatening CNS involvement and which often evades timely diagnosis due to its rarity and nonspecific clinical manifestations. Moreover, these amebae are easily overlooked in histopathologic sections because of their small number and their resemblance to histiocytes. Dermatopathologists should be familiar with the histopathologic appearance of these organisms and include balamuthiasis and other amebic infections in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver H Chang
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Fan Liu
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eleanor Knopp
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Group Health Capitol Hill Campus, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Atis Muehlenbachs
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Cope
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ibne Ali
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Evan George
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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18
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Detection of Balamuthia mandrillaris DNA in the storage case of contact lenses in Germany. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2111-4. [PMID: 26965426 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-4979-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. are frequently the etiological agents of a severe form of sight-threatening keratitis, called Acanthamoeba keratitis. The contact lens storage solution of a patient with keratitis of unknown genesis was screened using our diagnostic tools to detect potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA). Culture methods and a triplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris were used in context of this routine screening. While no amoebae were detected by culture, qPCR specifically detected DNA of B. mandrillaris. This FLA is known as the etiological agent of a fatal form of encephalitis in humans and other mammals, Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE). A fragment of the 18S rDNA gene was amplified from the sample and showed 99 % sequence identity to B. mandrillaris sequences from GenBank. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. mandrillaris found in association with contact lenses. Although no viable amoeba was obtained by culturing efforts, the verification of B. mandrillaris DNA in the contact lens storage solution demonstrates how easily this pathogen might come into close contact with humans.
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19
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Retana-Moreira L, Abrahams-Sandí E, Castro-Artavia E, Fernández-Sánchez A, Castro-Castillo A, Reyes-Batlle M, Lorenzo-Morales J. Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Acanthamoeba
Strains from Dental Units in Costa Rica. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2015; 62:733-6. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Retana-Moreira
- Department of Parasitology; Faculty of Microbiology; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
| | - Elizabeth Abrahams-Sandí
- Department of Parasitology; Faculty of Microbiology; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
| | - Esteban Castro-Artavia
- Department of Parasitology; Faculty of Microbiology; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
| | - Ana Fernández-Sánchez
- Department of Parasitology; Faculty of Microbiology; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
| | - Alfredo Castro-Castillo
- Department of Parasitology; Faculty of Microbiology; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales; University of Costa Rica; San Pedro San José Costa Rica
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands; University of La Laguna; Tenerife Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands; University of La Laguna; Tenerife Spain
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