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Aykur M, Selver OB, Dagci H, Palamar M. Vermamoeba vermiformis as the etiological agent in a patient with suspected non-Acanthamoeba keratitis. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:323. [PMID: 39254717 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08347-2] [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: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Vermamoeba vermiformis (V. vermiformis) is one of the most common free-living amoeba (FLA) and is frequently found in environments such as natural freshwater areas, surface waters, soil, and biofilms. V. vermiformis has been reported as a pathogen with pathogenic potential for humans and animals. The aim is to report a case of non-Acanthamoeba keratitis in which V. vermiformis was the etiological agent, identified by culture and molecular techniques. Our case was a 48-year-old male patient with a history of trauma to his eye 10 days ago. The patient complained of eye redness and purulent discharge. A slit-lamp examination of the eye revealed a central corneal ulcer with peripheral infiltration extending into the deep stroma. The corneal scraping sample taken from the patient was cultured on a non-nutritious agar plate (NNA). Amoebae were evaluated according to morphological evaluation criteria. It was investigated by PCR method and confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Although no bacterial or fungal growth was detected in the routine microbiological evaluation of the corneal scraping sample that was cultured, amoeba growth was detected positively in the NNA culture. Meanwhile, Acanthamoeba was detected negative by real-time PCR. However, V. vermiformis was detected positive with the specific PCR assay. It was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis to be considered an etiological pathogenic agent. Thus, topical administration of chlorhexidine gluconate %0.02 (8 × 1) was initiated. Clinical regression was observed 72 h after chlorhexidine initiation, and complete resolution of keratitis with residual scarring was noticed in 5 weeks. In conclusion, corneal infections due to free-living amoebae can occur, especially in poor hygiene. Although Acanthamoeba is the most common keratitis due to amoeba, V. vermiformis is also assumed to associate keratitis in humans. Clinicians should also be aware of other amoebic agents, such as V. vermiformis, in keratitis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Aykur
- Department of Parasitology, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Medical School, Central, PO Box 60030, Tokat, 60100, Turkey.
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Ozlem Barut Selver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hande Dagci
- Department of Parasitology, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Melis Palamar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, Turkey
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Pérez-Pérez P, Reyes-Batlle M, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Perdomo-González A, Sifaoui I, Díaz-Peña FJ, Morchón R, Maciver SK, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. First Report of Acanthamoeba Genotype T4 from the Newly Formed Tajogaite Volcano Tephra (La Palma, Canary Islands). Pathogens 2024; 13:626. [PMID: 39204227 PMCID: PMC11357532 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13080626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The Tajogaite Volcano erupted on the western slope of the Cumbre Vieja mountain range on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands, Spain, in 2021. As one of the multiple consequences of this eruption, a layer of tephra was deposited, to a variable extent, over a large part of the island. Tephra deposits affect all aspects of vegetation recovery, the water cycle, and the long-term availability of volcanic nutrients. Protozoa, including free-living amoeba (FLA), are known to be among the first microorganisms capable of colonizing harsh environments. In the present study, the presence of FLA has been evaluated in the Tajogaite Volcano deposits. Samples of the tephra were collected and incubated at 26 °C on 2% non-nutrient agar plates with a layer of heat-killed E. coli. Morphological features, as well as the DF3 region sequence of the 18S rDNA, confirmed the presence of a T4 genotype strain of Acanthamoeba. Thermotolerance and osmotolerance assays were used to evaluate the strain's pathogenic potential. This strain was considered thermotolerant but poorly osmotolerant. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Acanthamoeba being isolated from a recently erupted volcano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Pérez-Pérez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- 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, Spain
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- 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, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- 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, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adolfo Perdomo-González
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (F.J.D.-P.)
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- 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, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Díaz-Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (F.J.D.-P.)
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Infections and One Health GIR, Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Sutherland K. Maciver
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK;
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- 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, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
- 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, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Jitvaropas R, Sawaswong V, Poovorawan Y, Auysawasdi N, Vuthitanachot V, Wongwairot S, Rodkvamtook W, Lindroth E, Payungporn S, Linsuwanon P. Identification of Bacteria and Viruses Associated with Patients with Acute Febrile Illness in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Viruses 2024; 16:630. [PMID: 38675971 PMCID: PMC11054472 DOI: 10.3390/v16040630] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The majority of cases of undifferentiated acute febrile illness (AFI) in the tropics have an undefined etiology. In Thailand, AFI accounts for two-thirds of illnesses reported to the Ministry of Public Health. To characterize the bacterial and viral causes of these AFIs, we conducted molecular pathogen screening and serological analyses in patients who sought treatment in Chum Phae Hospital, Khon Kaen province, during the period from 2015 to 2016. Through integrated approaches, we successfully identified the etiology in 25.5% of cases, with dengue virus infection being the most common cause, noted in 17% of the study population, followed by scrub typhus in 3.8% and rickettsioses in 6.8%. Further investigations targeting viruses in patients revealed the presence of Guadeloupe mosquito virus (GMV) in four patients without other pathogen co-infections. The characterization of four complete genome sequences of GMV amplified from AFI patients showed a 93-97% nucleotide sequence identity with GMV previously reported in mosquitoes. Nucleotide substitutions resulted in amino acid differences between GMV amplified from AFI patients and mosquitoes, observed in 37 positions. However, these changes had undergone purifying selection pressure and potentially had a minimal impact on protein function. Our study suggests that the GMV strains identified in the AFI patients are relatively similar to those previously reported in mosquitoes, highlighting their potential role associated with febrile illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rungrat Jitvaropas
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Vorthon Sawaswong
- Center of Excellence in Systems Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Nutthanun Auysawasdi
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.A.); (S.W.); (E.L.)
| | | | - Sirima Wongwairot
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.A.); (S.W.); (E.L.)
| | - Wuttikon Rodkvamtook
- Analytic Division, Royal Thai Army Component-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Erica Lindroth
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.A.); (S.W.); (E.L.)
| | - Sunchai Payungporn
- Center of Excellence in Systems Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Piyada Linsuwanon
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.A.); (S.W.); (E.L.)
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Arberas-Jiménez I, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Sifaoui I, Chao-Pellicer J, Sancho L, Urruticoechea A, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Influence of salt and temperature in the growth of pathogenic free-living amoebae. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1356452. [PMID: 38426057 PMCID: PMC10902715 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1356452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Free-living amoebae are an extensive group of protistans that can be found in a wide variety of environments. Among them, the Acanthamoeba genus and Naegleria fowleri stand out as two of the most pathogenic amoebae and with a higher number of reported cases. N. fowleri is mainly found in warm freshwater water bodies whereas amoebae of the Acanthamoeba genus are broadly distributed through natural and anthropogenic environments. In this regard, the management and the control of the amoebic populations in swimming pools has become a major public health challenge for institutions. Methods The aim of this work was to evaluate the growth pattern of trophozoites of A. griffini and N. fowleri at different temperatures and salt concentrations. Results and discussion Our results showed that A. griffini resisted a higher concentration of salt than N. fowleri. Moreover, no trophozoites could withstand the salt levels of the sea in in vitro conditions. This work supports the contention that salinity could represent an important and useful tool for the control of the most pathogenic amoebic populations in recreational water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier Chao-Pellicer
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Luis Sancho
- CEIT-Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Manuel Lardizabal, Donostia-San Sebastían, Spain
- Universidad de Navarra, Tecnun, Manuel Lardizabal, Donostia-San Sebastían, Spain
| | | | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Marinho BTS, Santos DLD, Santos DLD, Rott MB. First report of free-living amoebae in watercourses in southern Brazil: molecular diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of Vermamoeba vermiformis, Naegleria gruberi, and Acanthamoeba spp. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2023; 21:972-980. [PMID: 37515566 PMCID: wh_2023_126 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa dispersed in different environments and are responsible for different infections caused to humans and other animals. Microorganisms such as Acanthamoeba spp., Vermamoeba sp., and Naegleria sp. are associated with diseases that affect the central nervous system, in addition to skin infections and keratitis, as occurs in the genus Acanthamoeba and with Vermamoeba vermiformis. Due to the concerns of these FLA in anthropogenic aquatic environments, this work aimed to identify these microorganisms present in waters of Porto Alegre, Brazil. One litre sample was collected in two watercourses during the summer of 2022 and inoculated onto non-nutrient agar plates containing heat-inactivated Escherichia coli. Polymerase chain reaction results indicated the presence of FLA of the genera Acanthamoeba, Vermamoeba, and Naegleria in the study areas. Genetic sequencing indicated the presence of V. vermiformis and Naegleria gruberi. These aquatic and anthropogenic environments can serve as a means of spread and contamination by FLA, which gives valuable information on public health in the city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Teixeira Scardini Marinho
- Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-002, Brazil E-mail:
| | - Denise Leal Dos Santos
- Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-002, Brazil
| | - Daniel Leal Dos Santos
- Faculty of Geography, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Avenue, N 6681, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Marilise Brittes Rott
- Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-002, Brazil
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Andalib S, Mohammad Rahimi H, Niyyati M, Shalileh F, Nemati S, Rouhani S, Zali MR, Mirjalali H, Karanis P. Free-living amoebae in an oil refinery wastewater treatment facility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156301. [PMID: 35636544 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Free Living Amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous microorganisms reported from harsh environmental conditions. Oil refinery facilities consume vast volumes of water during their processes, generating a large amount of wastewater. The present study aimed to evaluate the wastewater treatment process in an oil refinery wastewater treatment facility (ORWWTF) for the presence of FLA. Water samples were collected from an oil refinery wastewater (ORWW) for nine months. After recording physical-chemical features, samples were cultivated onto non-nutrient agar (NNA). The discriminative fragments of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene were amplified and sequenced to characterize the isolated FLA. Phylogenetic tree, and network analysis were employed to evaluate genetic relationships. The thermo- and osmotolerant tests were performed on the isolated FLA. Twenty-five (32.9%) samples were positive for FLA cultivation. Acanthamoeba spp., Vahlkampfiids, and Vermamoeba spp. were detected, of which Acanthamoeba species were predominant. There was no statistical correlation between pH, NH3, PO4, H2S, and TDS with the presence of FLA. A statistical correlation between the presence of FLA and the type of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was significant (P-value = 0.011). All Acanthamoeba spp. isolates belonged to the genotypes T4 (17/21; 80.95%) and T11 (4/21; 19.05%). Vahlkampfiids were Naegleria spp., (7/10; 70%), Tetramitus aberdonicus (1/10; 10%), Learamoeba spp., (1/10; 10%), and Vahlkampfia spp., (1/10; 10%). All three Vermamoeba spp. were V. vermiformis. The ORWW contains toxic materials, and a few microorganisms can stay active in these environments. This is the first study which isolates FLA from such super harsh conditions. For the first time, T. aberdonicus, and Learamoeba spp., were isolated from oily wastewater. Our findings signify the concern due to the distribution of potentially pathogenic FLA to downstream lands via treated wastewater that may be released after treatment processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Andalib
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Shalileh
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Nemati
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Rouhani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Nicosia University Medical School, Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus
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Lee DI, Park SH, Kang SA, Kim DH, Kim SH, Song SY, Lee SE, Yu HS. Free-Living Amoeba Vermamoeba vermiformis Induces Allergic Airway Inflammation. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2022; 60:229-239. [PMID: 36041484 PMCID: PMC9441446 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.4.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The high percentage of Vermamoeba was found in tap water in Korea. This study investigated whether Vermamoeba induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. We selected 2 free-living amoebas (FLAs) isolated from tap water, which included Korean FLA 5 (KFA5; Vermamoeba vermiformis) and 21 (an homolog of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/ E2). We axenically cultured KFA5 and KFA21. We applied approximately 1 × 106 to mice’s nasal passages 6 times and investigated their pathogenicity. The airway resistance value was significantly increased after KFA5 and KFA21 treatments. The eosinophil recruitment and goblet cell hyperplasia were concomitantly observed in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue in mice infected with KFA5 and KFA21. These infections also activated the Th2-related interleukin 25, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokines gene expression in mouse lung epithelial cells. The CD4+ interleukin 4+ cell population was increased in the lung, and the secretion of Th2-, Th17-, and Th1-associated cytokines were upregulated during KFA5 and KFA21 infection in the spleen, lung-draining lymph nodes, and BAL fluid. The pathogenicity (allergenicity) of KFA5 and KFA21 might not have drastically changed during the long-term in vitro culture. Our results suggested that Vermamoeba could elicit allergic airway inflammation and may be an airway allergen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-In Lee
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Sung Hee Park
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Shin-Ae Kang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Do Hyun Kim
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Sun Hyun Kim
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - So Yeon Song
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Sang Eun Lee
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Hak Sun Yu
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
- Corresponding author ()
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Sousa-Ramos D, Reyes-Batlle M, Bellini NK, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Martín-Real C, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Pathogenic free-living amoebae from water sources in Cape Verde. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2399-2404. [PMID: 35660958 PMCID: PMC9279231 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07563-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa which have been reported in different countries worldwide from diverse sources (water, soil, dust, air), contributing to the environmental microbiological contamination. Most of the FLA species present a life cycle with two different phases: an active vegetative and physiologically form named trophozoite, and an extremely resistant phase called cyst. Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Sapinia pedata, Vahlkampfia spp., Paravahlkampfia spp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis have been reported not only as causal agents of several opportunistic diseases including fatal encephalitis or epithelial disorders, but also as capable to favour the intracellular survival of common pathogenic bacteria, which could avoid the typical water disinfection systems, non-effective against FLAs cysts. Even though Santiago Island possesses high levels of humidity compared to the rest of the archipelago of Cape Verde, the water resources are scarce. Therefore, it is important to carry out proper microbiological quality controls, which currently do not contemplate the FLA presence in most of the countries. In the present work, we have reported the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. (69.2%); Vannella spp. (15.4%); Vermamoeba vermiformis (7.7%) and the recently discovered Stenamoeba dejonckheerei (7.7%) in different water sources of Santiago Island.
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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, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - 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, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Karla Bellini
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos, SP, 13560-590, 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, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Martín-Real
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, 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, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain.
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Inst. de Salud Carlos III, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - 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, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain.
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Inst. de Salud Carlos III, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
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Javanmard E, Niyyati M, Taghipour A, Fatemi M, Mirjalali H, Karanis P. Isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic free-living amoeba in drinking, surface, and stagnant water sources from Alborz Province, Iran. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2022; 20:620-629. [PMID: 35482379 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2022.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebas (FLAs) can cause neurological and ocular complications in humans. Water supplies play a critical role in transmitting FLAs to humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of FLAs in various aquatic sources including drinking water, stagnant water, and surface water in Alborz province, northern Iran, using morphological and molecular techniques. A total of 70 water samples were collected from 34 drinking waters, 23 surface waters, and 13 stagnant waters. Filtration and cultivation were employed to isolate FLAs. PCR assay was applied by using the genus-specific primers on positive samples. Pathogenicity tests (osmo- and thermo-tolerance properties) were performed for Acanthamoeba spp., positive sample. Considering the morphological criteria, four positive samples of Acanthamoeba sp., three Vermamoeba sp., two mixed Vermamoeba sp. with Vahlkamfiids, and one mixed Acanthamoeba sp. with Vahlkamfiids were isolated. Five Acanthamoeba sp. isolates were amplified using the JDP primer pairs. Among them, two genotypes, T4 (three isolates) and T5 (two isolates) corresponding to A. lenticulata, were identified. Four V. vermiformis samples were confirmed using the sequencing. This study highlighted the occurrence of potentially pathogenic waterborne FLAs in water habitats associated with high human activity. The results of such research on the prevalence of FLAs, as a human hazard, should be communicated to health policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Javanmard
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail: ;
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Marziye Fatemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail: ;
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Nicosia University Medical School, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus
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11
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Mathison BA, Sapp SGH. An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae. Zookeys 2021; 1069:1-313. [PMID: 34819766 PMCID: PMC8595220 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1069.67403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The classification of "parasites" in the medical field is a challenging notion, a group which historically has included all eukaryotes exclusive of fungi that invade and derive resources from the human host. Since antiquity, humans have been identifying and documenting parasitic infections, and this collective catalog of parasitic agents has expanded considerably with technology. As our understanding of species boundaries and the use of molecular tools has evolved, so has our concept of the taxonomy of human parasites. Consequently, new species have been recognized while others have been relegated to synonyms. On the other hand, the decline of expertise in classical parasitology and limited curricula have led to a loss of awareness of many rarely encountered species. Here, we provide a comprehensive checklist of all reported eukaryotic organisms (excluding fungi and allied taxa) parasitizing humans resulting in 274 genus-group taxa and 848 species-group taxa. For each species, or genus where indicated, a concise summary of geographic distribution, natural hosts, route of transmission and site within human host, and vectored pathogens are presented. Ubiquitous, human-adapted species as well as very rare, incidental zoonotic organisms are discussed in this annotated checklist. We also provide a list of 79 excluded genera and species that have been previously reported as human parasites but are not believed to be true human parasites or represent misidentifications or taxonomic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A. Mathison
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USAInstitute for Clinical and Experimental PathologySalt Lake CityUnited States of America
| | - Sarah G. H. Sapp
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USACenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaUnited States of America
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12
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Biglarnia F, Solhjoo K, Rezanezhad H, Taghipour A, Armand B. Isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic free-living amoeba in dialysis fluid samples of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 116:454-461. [PMID: 34676414 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Free-living amoeba (FLA), including Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia and Vermamoeba, have been isolated from water, sand, soil, dust and air. Numerous studies considered that FLA are a significant cause of neurological and ocular complications in high-risk groups, including immunocompromised individuals. The present study aimed to identify morphological and molecular characteristics of FLA isolates in dialysis fluid samples of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units in Iran. METHODS A total of 328 dialysis fluid samples were collected from 16 dialysis machines, including 164 samples before hemodialysis sessions (after cleaning) and 164 samples after hemodialysis sessions (before cleaning). Filtration and cultivation were performed on non-nutrient agar medium. Also, PCR and sequencing were applied by using the genus-specific primers along with a common primer set on positive samples. RESULTS Both morphology and molecular investigations showed that 22.5% (74/328) of dialysis fluid samples were positive for FLA. There was a positive relationship between the high frequency of FLA after hemodialysis sessions (before cleaning) compared with before hemodialysis sessions (after cleaning) (OR=2.86; 95% CI 1.5 to 5.45). Considering the PCR assay, 16.46% (54/328) samples were identified as Acanthamoeba spp. (belonging to T3 and T4 genotypes), 5.18% (17/328) as Vermamoeba vermiformis and 0.91% (3/328) as Vahlkampfiidae family (Naegleria australiensis, Naegleria pagei and Allovahlkampfia). CONCLUSION The present results support a need to improve filtration and purification methods for dialysis fluid of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units. They also highlight the relevance of periodic screenings for FLA-related diseases in hemodialysis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Biglarnia
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167715258, Iran
| | - Kavous Solhjoo
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167715258, Iran.,Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167712521, Iran
| | - Hassan Rezanezhad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167715258, Iran.,Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167712521, Iran
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom 7167712521, Iran
| | - Belal Armand
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Medical and Life Sciences Faculty, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen 78120, Germany
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Zhang C, Struewing I, Mistry JH, Wahman DG, Pressman J, Lu J. Legionella and other opportunistic pathogens in full-scale chloraminated municipal drinking water distribution systems. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 205:117571. [PMID: 34628111 PMCID: PMC8629321 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Water-based opportunistic pathogens (OPs) are a leading cause of drinking-water-related disease outbreaks, especially in developed countries such as the United States (US). Physicochemical water quality parameters, especially disinfectant residuals, control the (re)growth, presence, colonization, and concentrations of OPs in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), while the relationship between OPs and those parameters remain unclear. This study aimed to quantify how physicochemical parameters, mainly monochloramine residual concentration, hydraulic residence time (HRT), and seasonality, affected the occurrence and concentrations of four common OPs (Legionella, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Vermamoeba vermiformis) in four full-scale DWDSs in the US. Legionella as a dominant OP occurred in 93.8% of the 64 sampling events and had a mean density of 4.27 × 105 genome copies per liter. Legionella positively correlated with Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, and total bacteria. Multiple regression with data from the four DWDSs showed that Legionella had significant correlations with total chlorine residual level, free ammonia concentration, and trihalomethane concentration. Therefore, Legionella is a promising indicator of water-based OPs, reflecting microbial water quality in chloraminated DWDSs. The OP concentrations had strong seasonal variations and peaked in winter and/or spring possibly because of reduced water usage (i.e., increased water stagnation or HRT) during cold seasons. The OP concentrations generally increased with HRT presumably because of disinfectant residual decay, indicating the importance of well-maintaining disinfectant residuals in DWDSs for OP control. The concentrations of Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, and V. vermiformis were significantly associated with total chlorine residual concentration, free ammonia concentration, and pH and trihalomethane concentration, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrates how the significant spatiotemporal variations of OP concentrations in chloraminated DWDSs correlated with critical physicochemical water quality parameters such as disinfectant residual levels. This work also indicates that Legionella is a promising indicator of OPs and microbial water quality in chloraminated DWDSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiqian Zhang
- Pegasus Technical Services, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ian Struewing
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jatin H Mistry
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - David G Wahman
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jonathan Pressman
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jingrang Lu
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
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Norouzi M, Saberi R, Niyyati M, Lorenzo-Morales J, Mirjalali H, Fatemi M, Javanmard E, Karamati SA. Molecular Identification of Pathogenic Free-Living Amoeba from Household Biofilm Samples in Iran: A Risk Factor for Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102098. [PMID: 34683419 PMCID: PMC8537737 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoeba (FLA) are ubiquitously distributed in the environment. However, they are also the causative agents of opportunistic infections in humans and other animals. A biofilm comprises any syntrophic consortium of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and often also to a surface. Moreover, FLA have been detected in various biofilms around the world. Therefore, the present study aimed to check for presence of FLA in samples from household biofilms in Iran and to characterize them at the molecular level. A total of 69 biofilm samples collected from showerheads, kitchen areas, and bathroom sinks were analyzed. Positive samples for FLA were characterized at the morphological and molecular levels. Furthermore, the results of morphology analysis indicated that 26.08% (18/69) of biofilm samples were positive for Acanthamoeba spp., Vermamoeba genus, and Vahlkampfiids. According to sequence analysis, five strains of Acanthamoeba isolates related to the T4 genotype and two strains belonged to the T2 genotype. In addition, the pathogenic potential of Acanthamoeba-positive isolates was conducted using the tolerance ability test. The results of BLASTn of Vermamoeba sequences were similar to what was expected for Vermamoeba vermiformis. The above-mentioned reasons revealed that the relative high contamination of household biofilm samples with FLA may pose a risk for people using soft contact lenses and for patients with traumatic cataract. Our finding proposes that filtration should be performed in shower heads and indicates the need to monitor people at increased risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Norouzi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 11369, Iran; (M.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Reza Saberi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48175, Iran;
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 11369, Iran
- Correspondence: or
| | - 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, Spain;
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28006 Madrid, 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, Spain
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 11369, Iran;
| | - Marziye Fatemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 11369, Iran; (M.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Ehsan Javanmard
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14114, Iran;
| | - Seyed Ahmad Karamati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 57169, Iran;
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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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Siddiqui R, Makhlouf Z, Khan NA. The Increasing Importance of Vermamoeba vermiformis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2021; 68:e12857. [PMID: 33987951 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Vermamoeba vermiformis are one of the most prevalent free-living amoebae. These amoebae are ubiquitous and also thermotolerant. Of concern, V. vermiformis have been found in hospital water networks. Furthermore, associations between V. vermiformis and pathogenic bacteria have been reported, such as Legionella pneumophila. Moreover, V. vermiformis are well known to host viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms and cases of keratitis due to V. vermiformis in conjunction with other amoebae have been reported. Despite the preceding, the medical importance of V. vermiformis is still an ongoing discussion and its genome has been only recently sequenced. Herein, we present a review of the current understanding of the biology and pathogenesis pertaining to V. vermiformis, as well as its' role as an etiological agent and trojan horse. An approach known as theranostics which combines both diagnosis and therapy could be utilized to eradicate and diagnose keratitis cases caused by such amoebae. Given the rise in global warming, it is imperative to investigate these rarely studied amoebae and to understand their importance in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Zinb Makhlouf
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.,Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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Reyes-Batlle M, Díaz FJ, Sifaoui I, Rodríguez-Expósito R, Rizo-Liendo A, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Free living amoebae isolation in irrigation waters and soils of an insular arid agroecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 753:141833. [PMID: 33207478 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The use of freshwater in agricultural systems represents a high percentage of total water consumption worldwide. Therefore, alternative sources of water for irrigation will need to be developed, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas, in order to meet the growing demand for food in the future. The use of recycled wastewater (RWW), brackish water (BW) or desalinated brackish water (DBW) are among the different non-conventional water resources proposed. However, it is necessary to evaluate the health risks for humans and animals associated with the microbiological load of these waters. Protozoa such as free-living amoebae (FLA) are considered an emerging group of opportunistic pathogens capable to cause several diseases in humans (e.g. cutaneous and ocular infections, lung, bone or adrenal gland conditions or fatal encephalitis). In the present study we evaluate FLA presence in three different irrigation water qualities (RWW, BW and DBW) and its survival in irrigated agricultural soils of an extremely arid insular ecosystem (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain). Samples were cultured on 2% Non-Nutrient Agar (NNA) plates covered with a thin layer of heat killed E. coli and checked daily for the presence of FLA. According to the prevalence of FLA, Vermamoeba vermiformis (53,8%), Acanthamoeba spp. (30,8%), Vahlkampfia avara (7,7%) and Naegleria australiensis (7,7%) were detected in the analysed water samples, while Acanthamoeba (83,3%), Cercozoa spp. (8,3%) and Vahlkampfia orchilla (8,3%) were isolated in irrigated soils. Only Acanthamoeba strains were isolated in no irrigated soils used as control, evidencing the capability of these protozoa to resist environmental harsh conditions. Additionally, all analysed water sources and the irrigated soils presented growth of several pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the coexistence in water and soils of pathogenic bacteria and FLA, can mean an increased risk of infection in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain / Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología. Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203 Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain.
| | - Francisco J Díaz
- Department of Animal Biology, Soil Science and Geology, University of La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain / Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología. Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203 Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Rubén Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain / Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología. Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203 Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Aitor Rizo-Liendo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain / Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología. Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203 Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain / Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología. Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203 Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain / Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología. Universidad De La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, 38203 Islas Canarias, Spain; Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Spain
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Reyes‐Batlle M, Gabriel MF, Rodríguez‐Expósito R, Felgueiras F, Sifaoui I, Mourão Z, de Oliveira Fernandes E, Piñero JE, Lorenzo‐Morales J. Evaluation of the occurrence of pathogenic free-living amoeba and bacteria in 20 public indoor swimming pool facilities. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1159. [PMID: 33650798 PMCID: PMC7859502 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, indoor swimming pool activities have increased to promote health-enhancing physical activities, which require establishing suitable protocols for disinfection and water quality control. Normally, the assessment of the microbial quality of the water in the pools only considers the presence of different bacteria. However, other less frequent but more resistant pathogens, such as free-living amoebas (FLA), are not contemplated in both existing recommendation and research activities. FLA represent a relevant human health risk, not only due to their pathogenicity but also due to the ability to act as vehicles of other pathogens, such as bacteria. Therefore, this work aimed to study the physicochemical characteristics and the occurrence of potentially pathogenic FLA and bacteria in water samples from 20 public indoor swimming facilities in Northern Portugal. Our results showed that some swimming pools presented levels of pH, free chlorine, and conductivity out of the recommended limits. Pathogenic FLA species were detected in two of the facilities under study, where we also report the presence of both, FLA and pathogenic bacteria. Our findings evidence the need to assess the occurrence of FLA and their existence in the same environmental niche as pathogenic bacteria in swimming pool facilities worldwide and to establish recommendations to safeguard the health of the users.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Reyes‐Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de CanariasUniversidad de La LagunaTenerifeSpain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, ToxicologíaMedicina Legal y Forense y ParasitologíaUniversidad De La LagunaTenerife, Islas CanariasSpain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET)Spain
| | - Marta F. Gabriel
- INEGIInstitute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial EngineeringPortoPortugal
| | - Rubén Rodríguez‐Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de CanariasUniversidad de La LagunaTenerifeSpain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, ToxicologíaMedicina Legal y Forense y ParasitologíaUniversidad De La LagunaTenerife, Islas CanariasSpain
| | - Fátima Felgueiras
- INEGIInstitute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial EngineeringPortoPortugal
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de CanariasUniversidad de La LagunaTenerifeSpain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, ToxicologíaMedicina Legal y Forense y ParasitologíaUniversidad De La LagunaTenerife, Islas CanariasSpain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET)Spain
| | - Zenaida Mourão
- INEGIInstitute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial EngineeringPortoPortugal
| | | | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de CanariasUniversidad de La LagunaTenerifeSpain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, ToxicologíaMedicina Legal y Forense y ParasitologíaUniversidad De La LagunaTenerife, Islas CanariasSpain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET)Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo‐Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de CanariasUniversidad de La LagunaTenerifeSpain
- Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, ToxicologíaMedicina Legal y Forense y ParasitologíaUniversidad De La LagunaTenerife, Islas CanariasSpain
- Red de Investigación Colaborativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET)Spain
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Cartography of Free-Living Amoebae in Soil in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) Using DNA Metabarcoding. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060440. [PMID: 32512696 PMCID: PMC7350318 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protists. Pathogenic FLA such as N. fowleri can be found in hot springs in Guadeloupe, soil being the origin of this contamination. Herein, we analyzed the diversity and distribution of FLA in soil using a targeted metataxonomic analysis. Soil samples (n = 107) were collected from 40 sites. DNA was extracted directly from soil samples or from FLA cultivated at different temperatures (30, 37 and 44 °C). Metabarcoding studies were then conducted through FLA 18SrDNA amplicons sequencing; amplicon sequence variants (ASV) were extracted from each sample and taxonomy assigned against SILVA database using QIIME2 and SHAMAN pipelines. Vermamoeba were detected in DNA extracted directly from the soil, but to detect other FLA an amoebal enrichment step was necessary. V. vermiformis was by far the most represented species of FLA, being detected throughout the islands. Although Naegleria were mainly found in Basse-Terre region, N. fowleri was also detected in Grand Terre and Les Saintes Islands. Acanthamoeba were mainly found in areas where temperature is approx. 30 °C. Vannella and Vahlkampfia were randomly found in Guadeloupe islands. FLA detected in Guadeloupe include both pathogenic genera and genera that can putatively harbor microbial pathogens, therefore posing a potential threat to human health.
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Moussa M, Marcelino I, Richard V, Guerlotté J, Talarmin A. An Optimized Most Probable Number (MPN) Method to Assess the Number of Thermophilic Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) in Water Samples. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050409. [PMID: 32456327 PMCID: PMC7281388 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050409] [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: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection and quantification of pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) in water samples is critical for assessing water quality and for disease management issues. The most probable number (MPN) is commonly used to account for FLA in water. Nevertheless, this requires a high number of water replicates and working volumes, and a consequent number of non-nutrient agar (NNA)-plates seeded with Escherichia coli. Herein, we aimed at optimizing this difficult method, taking also into account key factors such as (i) the counting method, (ii) the delay between sample collection and sample processing, and (iii) the temperature during water sample transportation. To simplify the MPN method, we filtrated 1 × 1000 and 1 × 100 mL water samples, and cellulose acetate filters were cut in 10 parts and inverted on NNA-plates overlaid with E. coli. The comparison between the classical and our optimized MPN method showed that the final counts were similar, therefore validating the use of the optimized method. Our results also showed that for thermophilic FLA (such as Naegleria fowleri), water samples can be kept at around +30°C and processed within 24 h. This improved MPN method is now routinely used in our laboratory to control Naegleria sp. in the water samples in Guadeloupe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Moussa
- Unité TReD-Path (Transmission Réservoir & Diversité des Pathogènes), Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, 97183 Guadeloupe, France; (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Unité TReD-Path (Transmission Réservoir & Diversité des Pathogènes), Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, 97183 Guadeloupe, France; (M.M.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +590-590-897-664
| | | | - Jérôme Guerlotté
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB) MNHN, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE Université des Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, 97110 Guadeloupe, France;
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Unité TReD-Path (Transmission Réservoir & Diversité des Pathogènes), Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, 97183 Guadeloupe, France; (M.M.); (A.T.)
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Lee DI, Park SH, Baek JH, Yoon JW, Jin SI, Han KE, Yu HS. Identification of Free-Living Amoebas in Tap Water of Buildings with Storage Tanks in Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 58:191-194. [PMID: 32418389 PMCID: PMC7231833 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.2.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amoebas (FLAs) can cause severe disease in humans and animals when they become infected. However, there are no accurate survey reports on the prevalence of FLAs in Korea. In this study, we collected 163 tap water samples from buildings, apartments, and restrooms of highway service areas in 7 Korean provinces with high population density. All these buildings and facilities have water storage tanks in common. The survey was separated into categories of buildings, apartments, and highway service areas. Five hundred milliliters of tap water from each building was collected and filtered with 0.2 µm pore filter paper. The filters were incubated in agar plates with heated E. coli at 25°C. After axenization, genomic DNA was collected from each FLA, and species classification was performed using partial 18S-rDNA PCR-sequencing analysis. We found that 12.9% of tap water from buildings with storage tanks in Korea was contaminated with FLAs. The highway service areas had the highest contamination rate at 33.3%. All of the FLAs, except one, were genetically similar to Vermamoeba vermiformis (Hartmannella vermiformis). The remaining FLA (KFA21) was very similar to Acanthamoeba lugdunensis (KA/E26). Although cases of human infection by V. vermiformis are very rare, we must pay attention to the fact that one-third of tap water supplies in highway service areas have been contaminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-In Lee
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Sung Hee Park
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Jong Hwan Baek
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Jee Won Yoon
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Soo Im Jin
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Kwang Eon Han
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Hak Sun Yu
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea.,Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
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