1
|
Soleymani E, Fakhar M, Davoodi L, Motavallihaghi S, Sharifpour A, Maghsood AH. Isolation, characterization, and pathogenicity assay of Acanthamoeba and its endosymbionts in respiratory disorders and COVID-19 hospitalized patients, northern Iran. Exp Parasitol 2024; 262:108774. [PMID: 38754618 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108774] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp., are common free-living amoebae found in nature that can serve as reservoirs for certain microorganisms. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a newly emerged respiratory infection, and the investigation of parasitic infections remains an area of limited research. Given that Acanthamoeba can act as a host for various endosymbiotic microbial pathogens and its pathogenicity assay is not fully understood, this study aimed to identify Acanthamoeba and its bacterial and fungal endosymbionts in patients with chronic respiratory disorders and hospitalized COVID-19 patients in northern Iran. Additionally, a pathogenicity assay was conducted on Acanthamoeba isolates. Urine, nasopharyngeal swab, and respiratory specimens were collected from two groups, and each sample was cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar medium. The cultures were then incubated at room temperature and monitored daily for a period of two weeks. Eight Acanthamoeba isolates were identified, and PCR was performed to confirm the presence of amoebae and identify their endosymbionts. Four isolates were found to have bacterial endosymbionts, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter sp., while two isolates harbored fungal endosymbionts, including an uncultured fungus and Gloeotinia sp. In the pathogenicity assay, five isolates exhibited a higher degree of pathogenicity compared to the other three. This study provides significant insights into the comorbidity of acanthamoebiasis and COVID-19 on a global scale, and presents the first evidence of Gloeotinia sp. as a fungal endosymbiont. Nevertheless, further research is required to fully comprehend the symbiotic patterns and establish effective treatment protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eissa Soleymani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fakhar
- Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Lotfollah Davoodi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyedmousa Motavallihaghi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ali Sharifpour
- Department of Internal Ward, Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ali M, Rice CA, Byrne AW, Paré PE, Beauvais W. Modelling dynamics between free-living amoebae and bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16623. [PMID: 38715450 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) serve as hosts for a variety of endosymbionts, which are microorganisms that reside and multiply within the FLA. Some of these endosymbionts pose a pathogenic threat to humans, animals, or both. The symbiotic relationship with FLA not only offers these microorganisms protection but also enhances their survival outside their hosts and assists in their dispersal across diverse habitats, thereby escalating disease transmission. This review is intended to offer an exhaustive overview of the existing mathematical models that have been applied to understand the dynamics of FLA, especially concerning their interactions with bacteria. An extensive literature review was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases to identify mathematical models that describe the dynamics of interactions between FLA and bacteria, as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The literature search revealed several FLA-bacteria model systems, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella multocida, and Legionella spp. Although the published mathematical models account for significant system dynamics such as predator-prey relationships and non-linear growth rates, they generally overlook spatial and temporal heterogeneity in environmental conditions, such as temperature, and population diversity. Future mathematical models will need to incorporate these factors to enhance our understanding of FLA-bacteria dynamics and to provide valuable insights for future risk assessment and disease control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Ali
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher A Rice
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery (PIDD), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering (RHCE), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrew W Byrne
- One Health Scientific Support Unit, National Disease Control Centre, Agriculture House, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philip E Paré
- Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Wendy Beauvais
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Raghavan A, Rammohan R. Acanthamoeba keratitis - A review. Indian J Ophthalmol 2024; 72:473-482. [PMID: 38454853 PMCID: PMC11149514 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_2627_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This is a comprehensive review after a thorough literature search in PubMed-indexed journals, incorporating current information on the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, medical and surgical therapy, as well as outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). AK is a significant cause of ocular morbidity, and early diagnosis with timely institution of appropriate therapy is the key to obtaining good outcomes. The varied presentations result in frequent misdiagnosis, and co-infections can increase the morbidity of the disease. The first line of therapy continues to be biguanides and diamidines, with surgery as a last resort.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Raghavan
- Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Department of Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post-Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Messina M, Tucci D, Mocini S, Marruso V, Crotti S, Said D, Dua HS, Cagini C. Increasing incidence of contact-lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis in a tertiary ophthalmology department in an Italian population. Eur J Ophthalmol 2024:11206721241242165. [PMID: 38509758 DOI: 10.1177/11206721241242165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to report the increasing incidence of contact-lens related Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in a tertiary ophthalmology department in Umbria, central Italy. METHODS Observational and retrospective case series were carried out. A total of nine eyes with a diagnosis of AK were examined. All patients underwent a full slit lamp examination, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and corneal scraping. The IVCM was repeated at one and two-week and at one, three and six-month intervals. Samples of domestic tap water were also examined for PCR analysis. Patients were treated with levofloxacin0,5%, Polyhexamethylene biguanide 0.02%, and Propamidine Isetionate0,1%. RESULTS All patients were contact lens wearers. The average patient age was 27.75 (range 18-45), with three men and five women. The main clinical features were ciliary congestion, diffuse epitheliopathy with punctuated keratitis, multiple, small sub-epithelial, greyish, corneal infiltrates with epithelial defect, pseudodendritic corneal lesions, perineural infiltrates, corneal stromal cellularity, and stromal infiltrates. IVCM was indicative of Acanthamoeba in seven out of the nine eyes. All the positive IVCM images were section images showing double walled, bright-spot cysts with a clear chain-like arrangement of five or more cysts identified in three of the patients. PCR analysis of the water was negative in all cases. CONCLUSION Although PCR is the most common method used, the increased incidence of AK could mainly be related to a proper IVCM interpretation. A broad-spectrum antibiotic, such as levofloxacin might play a role in the early treatment of AK reducing the virulence of the amoeba.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Messina
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Tucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Mocini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Virginia Marruso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Crotti
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Sperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Dalia Said
- Department of Ophthalmology, Section of Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Harminder Singh Dua
- Department of Ophthalmology, Section of Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Carlo Cagini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Amsri A, Pruksaphon K, Thammasit P, Nosanchuk JD, Youngchim S. Adaptation to an amoeba host drives selection of virulence-associated traits and genetic variation in saprotrophic Candida albicans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1367656. [PMID: 38550616 PMCID: PMC10976851 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1367656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Amoebae are micropredators that play an important role in controlling fungal populations in ecosystems. However, the interaction between fungi and their amoebic predators suggests that the pressure from predatory selection can significantly influence the development of fungal virulence and evolutionary processes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation of saprotrophic Candida albicans strains during their interactions with Acanthamoeba castellanii. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of survival after co-culture by colony counting of the yeast cells and examining yeast cell phenotypic and genetic characteristics. Our results indicated that exposure to amoebae enhanced the survival capacity of environmental C. albicans and induced visible morphological alterations in C. albicans, particularly by an increase in filamentation. These observed phenotypic changes were closely related to concurrent genetic variations. Notably, mutations in genes encoding transcriptional repressors (TUP1 and SSN6), recognized for their negative regulation of filamentous growth, were exclusively identified in amoeba-passaged isolates, and absent in unexposed isolates. Furthermore, these adaptations increased the exposed isolates' fitness against various stressors, simultaneously enhancing virulence factors and demonstrating an increased ability to invade A549 lung human epithelial cells. These observations indicate that the sustained survival of C. albicans under ongoing amoebic predation involved a key role of mutation events in microevolution to modulate the ability of these isolates to change phenotype and increase their virulence factors, demonstrating an enhanced potential to survive in diverse environmental niches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artid Amsri
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kritsada Pruksaphon
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- Center of Excellence Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms (CERMM), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Thammasit
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sirida Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rivera J, Valerdi-Negreros JC, Vázquez-Enciso DM, Argueta-Zepeda FS, Vinuesa P. Phylogenomic, structural, and cell biological analyses reveal that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia replicates in acidified Rab7A-positive vacuoles of Acanthamoeba castellanii. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0298823. [PMID: 38319117 PMCID: PMC10913462 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02988-23] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba species are clinically relevant free-living amoebae (FLA) ubiquitously found in soil and water bodies. Metabolically active trophozoites graze on diverse microbes via phagocytosis. However, functional studies on Rab GTPases (Rabs), which are critical for controlling vesicle trafficking and maturation, are scarce for this FLA. This knowledge gap can be partly explained by the limited genetic tools available for Acanthamoeba cell biology. Here, we developed plasmids to generate fusions of A. castellanii strain Neff proteins to the N- or C-termini of mEGFP and mCherry2. Phylogenomic and structural analyses of the 11 Neff Rab7 paralogs found in the RefSeq assembly revealed that eight of them had non-canonical sequences. After correcting the gene annotation for the Rab7A ortholog, we generated a line stably expressing an mEGFP-Rab7A fusion, demonstrating its correct localization to acidified macropinocytic and phagocytic vacuoles using fluorescence microscopy live cell imaging (LCI). Direct labeling of live Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ESTM1D_MKCAZ16_6a (Sm18) cells with pHrodo Red, a pH-sensitive dye, demonstrated that they reside within acidified, Rab7A-positive vacuoles. We constructed new mini-Tn7 delivery plasmids and tagged Sm18 with constitutively expressed mScarlet-I. Co-culture experiments of Neff trophozoites with Sm18::mTn7TC1_Pc_mScarlet-I, coupled with LCI and microplate reader assays, demonstrated that Sm18 underwent multiple replication rounds before reaching the extracellular medium via non-lytic exocytosis. We conclude that S. maltophilia belongs to the class of bacteria that can use amoeba as an intracellular replication niche within a Stenotrophomonas-containing vacuole that interacts extensively with the endocytic pathway.IMPORTANCEDiverse Acanthamoeba lineages (genotypes) are of increasing clinical concern, mainly causing amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis among other infections. S. maltophilia ranks among the top 10 most prevalent multidrug-resistant opportunistic nosocomial pathogens and is a recurrent member of the microbiome hosted by Acanthamoeba and other free-living amoebae. However, little is known about the molecular strategies deployed by Stenotrophomonas for an intracellular lifestyle in amoebae and other professional phagocytes such as macrophages, which allow the bacterium to evade the immune system and the action of antibiotics. Our plasmids and easy-to-use microtiter plate co-culture assays should facilitate investigations into the cellular microbiology of Acanthamoeba interactions with Stenotrophomonas and other opportunistic pathogens, which may ultimately lead to the discovery of new molecular targets and antimicrobial therapies to combat difficult-to-treat infections caused by these ubiquitous microbes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Rivera
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Julio C. Valerdi-Negreros
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Diana M. Vázquez-Enciso
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fulvia-Stefany Argueta-Zepeda
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Vinuesa
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rao K, Abdullah M, Ahmed U, Wehelie HI, Shah MR, Siddiqui R, Khan NA, Alawfi BS, Anwar A. Self-assembled micelles loaded with itraconazole as anti-Acanthamoeba nano-formulation. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:134. [PMID: 38433145 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03854-3] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii are opportunistic pathogens known to cause infection of the central nervous system termed: granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, that mostly effects immunocompromised individuals, and a sight threatening keratitis, known as Acanthamoeba keratitis, which mostly affects contact lens wearers. The current treatment available is problematic, and is toxic. Herein, an amphiphilic star polymer with AB2 miktoarms [A = hydrophobic poly(ℇ-Caprolacton) and B = hydrophilic poly (ethylene glycol)] was synthesized by ring opening polymerization and CuI catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Characterization by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography and fluorescence spectroscopy was accomplished. The hydrophobic drug itraconazole (ITZ) was incorporated in self-assembled micellar structure of AB2 miktoarms through co-solvent evaporation. The properties of ITZ loaded (ITZ-PCL-PEG2) and blank micelles (PCL-PEG2) were investigated through zeta sizer, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Itraconazole alone (ITZ), polymer (DPB-PCL), empty polymeric micelles (PCL-PEG2) alone, and itraconazole loaded in polymeric micelles (ITZ-PCL-PEG2) were tested for anti-amoebic potential against Acanthamoeba, and the cytotoxicity on human cells were determined. The polymer was able to self-assemble in aqueous conditions and exhibited low value for critical micelle concentration (CMC) 0.05-0.06 µg/mL. The maximum entrapment efficiency of ITZ was 68%. Of note, ITZ, DPB, PCL-PEG2 and ITZ-PCL-PEG2 inhibited amoebae trophozoites by 37.34%, 36.30%, 35.77%, and 68.24%, respectively, as compared to controls. Moreover, ITZ-PCL-PEG2 revealed limited cytotoxicity against human keratinocyte cells. These results are indicative that ITZ-PCL-PEG2 micelle show significantly better anti-amoebic effects as compared to ITZ alone and thus should be investigated further in vivo to determine its clinical potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Komal Rao
- International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi University, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Abdullah
- International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi University, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Usman Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hashi Isse Wehelie
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Raza Shah
- International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi University, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Naveed A Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Bader S Alawfi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, 42353, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mahdavi F, Fatemi M, Mohammad Rahimi H, Niyyati M, Yadegar A, Mirjalali H. Identification of Candida albicans and non-MRSA Staphylococcus aureus in free-living amoebae isolated from the hospital wards; an alarm for distribution of nosocomial infections via FLA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38415666 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2323131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are isolated from the hospital environments and known as Trojan horses for medical essential microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the presence of FLA and two critical agents of nosocomial infections, in the hospital wards. Sixty samples were collected from four communities and cultured onto non-nutrient agar (NNA). After total DNA extraction, FLA were characterized using PCR and sequencing. The presence of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using real-time and conventional PCR, respectively. Acanthamoeba sp. was characterized in 30 (50%) samples. Two (6.6%) and one (3.3%) samples were positive for Vahlkampfiidae and Vermamoeba vermiformis, respectively . S. aureus was detected in 13 (43.3%) of samples, while none of them were positive for methicillin-resistant gene. C. albicans DNA was detected in one (3.3%) FLA-positive sample. The isolation of FLA from hospital suggests an essential role these eukaryotes in the inter-ward circulation of nosocomial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Mahdavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziye Fatemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School 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, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne 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
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ferreira MDS, Gonçalves DDS, Mendoza SR, de Oliveira GA, Pontes B, la Noval CRD, Honorato L, Ramos LFC, Nogueira FCS, Domont GB, Casadevall A, Nimrichter L, Peralta JM, Guimaraes AJ. β-1,3-Glucan recognition by Acanthamoeba castellanii as a putative mechanism of amoeba-fungal interactions. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0173623. [PMID: 38259076 PMCID: PMC10880599 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01736-23] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis to characterize potential Acanthamoeba castellanii (Ac) proteins capable of recognizing fungal β-1,3-glucans. Ac specifically anchors curdlan or laminarin, indicating the presence of surface β-1,3-glucan-binding molecules. Using optical tweezers, strong adhesion of laminarin- or curdlan-coated beads to Ac was observed, highlighting their adhesive properties compared to controls (characteristic time τ of 46.9 and 43.9 s, respectively). Furthermore, Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) G217B, possessing a β-1,3-glucan outer layer, showed significant adhesion to Ac compared to a Hc G186 strain with an α-1,3-glucan outer layer (τ of 5.3 s vs τ 83.6 s). The addition of soluble β-1,3-glucan substantially inhibited this adhesion, indicating the involvement of β-1,3-glucan recognition. Biotinylated β-1,3-glucan-binding proteins from Ac exhibited higher binding to Hc G217B, suggesting distinct recognition mechanisms for laminarin and curdlan, akin to macrophages. These observations hinted at the β-1,3-glucan recognition pathway's role in fungal entrance and survival within phagocytes, supported by decreased fungal viability upon laminarin or curdlan addition in both phagocytes. Proteomic analysis identified several Ac proteins capable of binding β-1,3-glucans, including those with lectin/glucanase superfamily domains, carbohydrate-binding domains, and glycosyl transferase and glycosyl hydrolase domains. Notably, some identified proteins were overexpressed upon curdlan/laminarin challenge and also demonstrated high affinity to β-1,3-glucans. These findings underscore the complexity of binding via β-1,3-glucan and suggest the existence of alternative fungal recognition pathways in Ac.IMPORTANCEAcanthamoeba castellanii (Ac) and macrophages both exhibit the remarkable ability to phagocytose various extracellular microorganisms in their respective environments. While substantial knowledge exists on this phenomenon for macrophages, the understanding of Ac's phagocytic mechanisms remains elusive. Recently, our group identified mannose-binding receptors on the surface of Ac that exhibit the capacity to bind/recognize fungi. However, the process was not entirely inhibited by soluble mannose, suggesting the possibility of other interactions. Herein, we describe the mechanism of β-1,3-glucan binding by A. castellanii and its role in fungal phagocytosis and survival within trophozoites, also using macrophages as a model for comparison, as they possess a well-established mechanism involving the Dectin-1 receptor for β-1,3-glucan recognition. These shed light on a potential parallel evolution of pathways involved in the recognition of fungal surface polysaccharides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina da Silva Ferreira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Inflamação, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diego de Souza Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Ruiz Mendoza
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Inflamação, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Afonso de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Pontes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas e Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Rodríguez-de la Noval
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Honorato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luis Felipe Costa Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fábio C. S. Nogueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilberto B. Domont
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Inflamação, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia de Eucariotos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Mauro Peralta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Allan J. Guimaraes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Inflamação, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pitt SJ, Gunn A. The One Health Concept. Br J Biomed Sci 2024; 81:12366. [PMID: 38434675 PMCID: PMC10902059 DOI: 10.3389/bjbs.2024.12366] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The concept of One Health has been developed as the appreciation that human health is intricately connected to those of other animals and the environment that they inhabit. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and noticeable effects of climate change have encouraged national and international cooperation to apply One Health strategies to address key issues of health and welfare. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals have established targets for health and wellbeing, clean water and sanitation, climate action, as well as sustainability in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The One Health Quadripartite comprises the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH-formerly OIE), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). There are six areas of focus which are Laboratory services, Control of zoonotic diseases, Neglected tropical diseases, Antimicrobial resistance, Food safety and Environmental health. This article discusses the concept of One Health by considering examples of infectious diseases and environmental issues under each of those six headings. Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and their colleagues working in diagnostic and research laboratories have a key role to play in applying the One Health approach to key areas of healthcare in the 21st Century.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Pitt
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Gunn
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rayamajhee B, Willcox M, Sharma S, Mooney R, Petsoglou C, Badenoch PR, Sherchan S, Henriquez FL, Carnt N. Zooming in on the intracellular microbiome composition of bacterivorous Acanthamoeba isolates. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae016. [PMID: 38500701 PMCID: PMC10945361 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba in water and soil, is an emerging pathogen causing severe eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. In its natural environment, Acanthamoeba performs a dual function as an environmental heterotrophic predator and host for a range of microorganisms that resist digestion. Our objective was to characterize the intracellular microorganisms of phylogenetically distinct Acanthamoeba spp. isolated in Australia and India through directly sequencing 16S rRNA amplicons from the amoebae. The presence of intracellular bacteria was further confirmed by in situ hybridization and electron microscopy. Among the 51 isolates assessed, 41% harboured intracellular bacteria which were clustered into four major phyla: Pseudomonadota (previously known as Proteobacteria), Bacteroidota (previously known as Bacteroidetes), Actinomycetota (previously known as Actinobacteria), and Bacillota (previously known as Firmicutes). The linear discriminate analysis effect size analysis identified distinct microbial abundance patterns among the sample types; Pseudomonas species was abundant in Australian corneal isolates (P < 0.007), Enterobacteriales showed higher abundance in Indian corneal isolates (P < 0.017), and Bacteroidota was abundant in Australian water isolates (P < 0.019). The bacterial beta diversity of Acanthamoeba isolates from keratitis patients in India and Australia significantly differed (P < 0.05), while alpha diversity did not vary based on the country of origin or source of isolation (P > 0.05). More diverse intracellular bacteria were identified in water isolates as compared with clinical isolates. Confocal and electron microscopy confirmed the bacterial cells undergoing binary fission within the amoebal host, indicating the presence of viable bacteria. This study sheds light on the possibility of a sympatric lifestyle within Acanthamoeba, thereby emphasizing its crucial role as a bunker and carrier of potential human pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mark Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Savitri Sharma
- Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad, 500034, India
| | - Ronnie Mooney
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - Constantinos Petsoglou
- Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Paul R Badenoch
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, 5042, Australia
| | - Samendra Sherchan
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Fiona L Henriquez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rayamajhee B, Willcox M, Henriquez FL, Vijay AK, Petsoglou C, Shrestha GS, Peguda HK, Carnt N. The role of naturally acquired intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis in an animal model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011878. [PMID: 38166139 PMCID: PMC10795995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba is an environmental host for various microorganisms. Acanthamoeba is also becoming an increasingly important pathogen as a cause of keratitis. In Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), coinfections involving pathogenic bacteria have been reported, potentially attributed to the carriage of microbes by Acanthamoeba. This study assessed the presence of intracellular bacteria in Acanthamoeba species recovered from domestic tap water and corneas of two different AK patients and examined the impact of naturally occurring intracellular bacteria within Acanthamoeba on the severity of corneal infections in rats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Household water and corneal swabs were collected from AK patients. Acanthamoeba strains and genotypes were confirmed by sequencing. Acanthamoeba isolates were assessed for the presence of intracellular bacteria using sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and electron microscopy. The viability of the bacteria in Acanthamoeba was assessed by labelling with alkyne-functionalized D-alanine (alkDala). Primary human macrophages were used to compare the intracellular survival and replication of the endosymbiotic Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a wild type strain. Eyes of rats were challenged intrastromally with Acanthamoeba containing or devoid of P. aeruginosa and evaluated for the clinical response. Domestic water and corneal swabs were positive for Acanthamoeba. Both strains belonged to genotype T4F. One of the Acanthamoeba isolates harboured P. aeruginosa which was seen throughout the Acanthamoeba's cytoplasm. It was metabolically active and could be seen undergoing binary fission. This motile strain was able to replicate in macrophage to a greater degree than strain PAO1 (p<0.05). Inoculation of Acanthamoeba containing the intracellular P. aeruginosa in rats eyes resulted in a severe keratitis with increased neutrophil response. Acanthamoeba alone induced milder keratitis. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our findings indicate the presence of live intracellular bacteria in Acanthamoeba can increase the severity of acute keratitis in vivo. As P. aeruginosa is a common cause of keratitis, this may indicate the potential for these intracellular bacteria in Acanthamoeba to lead to severe polymicrobial keratitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona L. Henriquez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay Kumar Vijay
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Constantinos Petsoglou
- Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, Southeastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gauri Shankar Shrestha
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hari Kumar Peguda
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicole Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rozo-Montoya N, Bedoya-Urrego K, Alzate JF. Monitoring potentially pathogenic protists in sewage sludge using Metataxonomics. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2023; 33:e00210. [PMID: 37808003 PMCID: PMC10558727 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasites continue to pose a significant threat to human health worldwide, particularly among children. Contaminated water and soil serve as major transmission vehicles for these parasites and intestinal protists are among the most prevalent parasites in both developed and developing nations. Traditionally, parasites have been studied using human or animal fecal samples, while studying them in environmental samples has been challenging due to technical limitations. However, advancements in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic approaches now enable the detection of parasite DNA in environmental samples. In this study, we applied a metataxonomic and phylogenetic strategy to detect and classify DNA of protists present in sewage sludge from two major cities in Colombia: Medellin and Cali. We successfully detected several human pathogenic parasites including Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Blastocystis sp., among other protists, in all sludge samples examined. We also investigated the entry and exit of parasite DNA from the San Fernando wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). We observed a higher number of parasite DNA sequences in the plant's influent wastewater, but we also detected the discharge of DNA from pathogenic parasites in both effluent waters and biosolids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rozo-Montoya
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Katherine Bedoya-Urrego
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sharma C, Khurana S, Bhatia A, Arora A, Gupta A. The gene expression and proteomic profiling of Acanthamoeba isolates. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108630. [PMID: 37820893 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108630] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The free-living protozoan Acanthamoeba can cause severe keratitis known as Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba includes intricate interactions between the organism and the host's immune system. The downstream analysis of a well-annotated genome assembly along with proteomic analysis can unravel several biological processes and aid in the identification of potential genes involved in pathogenicity. METHODS Based on the next-generation sequencing data analysis, genes including lysophospholipase, phospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, carboxylesterase, and mannose-binding protein were selected as probable pathogenic targets that were validated by conventional PCR in a total of 30 Acanthamoeba isolates. This was followed by real-time PCR for the evaluation of relative gene expression in the keratitis and amoebic encephalitis animal model induced using keratitis (CHA5), encephalitis (CHA24) and non-pathogenic environmental isolate (CHA36). In addition, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed for keratitis, encephalitis, and non-pathogenic environmental isolate before and after treatment with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). RESULTS The conventional PCR demonstrated the successful amplification of lysophospholipase, phospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, carboxylesterase, and mannose-binding protein genes in clinical and environmental isolates. The expression analysis revealed phospholipase, lysophospholipase, and mannose-binding genes to be significantly upregulated in the keratitis isolate (CHA 5) during AK in the animal model. In the case of the amoebic encephalitis model, phospholipase, lysophospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, and carboxylesterase were significantly upregulated in the encephalitis isolate compared to the keratitis isolate. The proteomic data revealed differential protein expression in pathogenic versus non-pathogenic isolates in the pre and post-treatment with PHMB. CONCLUSION The gene expression data suggests that lysophospholipase, phospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, carboxylesterase, and mannose-binding protein (MBP) could play a role in the contact-dependent and independent mechanisms of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis. In addition, the proteomic profiling of the 3 isolates revealed differential protein expression crucial for parasite growth, survival, and virulence. Our results provide baseline data for selecting possible pathogenic targets that could be utilized for designing knockout experiments in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chayan Sharma
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Sumeeta Khurana
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Amit Arora
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Amit Gupta
- Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Siddiqui R, El-Gamal MI, Sajeev S, Zaraei SO, Khan NA. Novel anti-Acanthamoebic properties of raloxifene sulfonate/sulfamate derivatives. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 256:111582. [PMID: 37562558 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111582] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba are known to cause a vision threatening eye infection typically due to contact lens wear, and an infection of the central nervous system. The ability of these amoebae to switch phenotypes, from an active trophozoite to a resistant cyst form is not well understood; the cyst stage is often resistant to chemotherapy, which is of concern given the rise of contact lens use and the ineffective disinfectants available, versus the cyst stage. Herein, for the first time, a range of raloxifene sulfonate/sulfamate derivatives which target nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase enzymes, were assessed using amoebicidal and excystation tests versus the trophozoite and cyst stage of Acanthamoeba. Moreover, the potential for cytopathogenicity inhibition in amoebae was assessed. Each of the derivatives showed considerable anti-amoebic activity as well as the ability to suppress phenotypic switching (except for compound 1a). Selected raloxifene derivatives reduced Acanthamoeba-mediated host cell damage using lactate dehydrogenase assay. These findings suggest that pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase enzymes may be valuable targets against Acanthamoeba infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates; Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Sreedevi Sajeev
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, Unites Arab Emirates
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey; Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Rayamajhee B, Williams NLR, Siboni N, Rodgers K, Willcox M, Henriquez FL, Seymour JR, Potts J, Johnson C, Scanes P, Carnt N. Identification and quantification of Acanthamoeba spp. within seawater at four coastal lagoons on the east coast of Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165862. [PMID: 37541500 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic free-living heterotrophic protist that is the most predominant amoeba in diverse ecological habitats. Acanthamoeba causes amoebic keratitis (AK), a painful and potentially blinding corneal infection. Major risk factors for AK have been linked to non-optimal contact lens hygiene practices and Acanthamoeba contamination of domestic and recreational water. This study investigated the incidence and seasonal variation of Acanthamoeba spp. within coastal lagoons located on the eastern coast of Australia and then examined the association between Acanthamoeba and water abiotic factors and bacterial species within the water. Water samples were collected from four intermittently closed and open lagoons (ICOLLs) (Wamberal, Terrigal, Avoca and Cockrone) every month between August 2019 to July 2020 except March and April. qPCR was used to target the Acanthamoeba 18S rRNA gene, validated by Sanger sequencing. Water abiotic factors were measured in situ using a multiprobe metre and 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V4) was performed to characterise bacterial community composition. Network analysis was used to gauge putative associations between Acanthamoeba incidence and bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). Among 206 water samples analysed, 79 (38.3%) were Acanthamoeba positive and Acanthamoeba level was significantly higher in summer compared with winter, spring, or autumn (p = 0.008). More than 50% (23/45) water samples of Terrigal were positive for Acanthamoeba which is a highly urbanised area with extensive recreational activities while about 32% (16/49) samples were positive from Cockrone that is the least impacted lagoon by urban development. All sequenced strains belonged to the pathogenic genotype T4 clade except two which were of genotype clades T2 and T5. Water turbidity, temperature, intl1 gene concentration, and dissolved O2 were significantly associated with Acanthamoeba incidence (p < 0.05). The ASVs level of cyanobacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Candidatus spp., and marine bacteria of the Actinobacteria phylum and Acanthamoeba 18S rRNA genes were positively correlated (Pearson's r ≥ 0.14). The presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in all lagoons, except Wamberal, was associated with significant differences in the composition of bacterial communities (beta diversity). The results of this study suggest that coastal lagoons, particularly those in urbanised regions with extensive water recreational activities, may pose an elevated risk to human health due to the relatively high incidence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba in the summer. These findings underscore the importance of educating the public about the rare yet devastating impact of AK on vision and quality of life, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts between public health officials and educators to promote awareness and preventive measures, especially focusing lagoons residents and travellers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Nathan L R Williams
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nachshon Siboni
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kiri Rodgers
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, G72 0LH, Scotland, UK
| | - Mark Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona L Henriquez
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, G72 0LH, Scotland, UK
| | - Justin R Seymour
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jaimie Potts
- Estuaries and Catchments Team, Waters Wetland Coastal Science Branch, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia
| | - Colin Johnson
- Estuaries and Catchments Team, Waters Wetland Coastal Science Branch, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia
| | - Peter Scanes
- Estuaries and Catchments Team, Waters Wetland Coastal Science Branch, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia
| | - Nicole Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Matsuo T, Nose M. A simple method for culturing Acanthamoeba from soft contact lens at a clinical laboratory of a hospital: Case report of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Clin Case Rep 2023; 11:e8248. [PMID: 38028087 PMCID: PMC10661332 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Key Clinical Message A simple culturing method for Acanthamoeba available at a clinical laboratory is a key for making timely diagnosis and starting treatment with topical 0.02% chlorhexidine gluconate eye drops, together with 0.1% miconazole or fluconazole eye drops. Abstract A 19-year-old woman with pain and injection in the right eye showed spotty corneal infiltration and radiating linear opacity. Suspicious of Acanthamoeba keratitis, corneal scraping, and the soft contact lens were sent to in-house clinical laboratory to culture successfully Acanthamoeba on Sabouraud dextrose agar plate painted with heat-treated dead bacilli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Matsuo
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health SystemsOkayama UniversityOkayama CityJapan
- Department of OphthalmologyOkayama University HospitalOkayama CityJapan
| | - Motoko Nose
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryOkayama University HospitalOkayama CityJapan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hilbert ZA, Bednarek JM, Schwiesow MJW, Chung KY, Moreau CT, Brown JCS, Elde NC. Distinct pathways of adaptive evolution in Cryptococcus neoformans reveal a mutation in adenylyl cyclase with trade-offs for pathogenicity. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4136-4149.e9. [PMID: 37708888 PMCID: PMC10592076 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi populate a wide range of environments and infect a diversity of host species. Despite this substantial biological flexibility, the impact of interactions between fungi and their hosts on the evolution of pathogenicity remains unclear. We studied how repeated interactions between the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and relevant environmental and mammalian host cells-amoeba and mouse macrophages-shape the evolution of this model fungal pathogen. First, using a collection of clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans, we characterized a range of survival phenotypes for these strains when exposed to host cells of different species. We then performed serial passages of an environmentally isolated C. neoformans strain through either amoeba or macrophages for ∼75 generations to observe how these interactions select for improved replication within hosts. In one adapted population, we identified a single point mutation in the adenylyl cyclase gene, CAC1, that swept to fixation and confers a strong competitive advantage for growth inside macrophages. Strikingly, this growth advantage in macrophages is inversely correlated with disease severity during mouse infections, suggesting that adaptation to specific host niches can markedly reduce the pathogenicity of these fungi. These results raise intriguing questions about the influence of cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling on pathogenicity and highlight the role of seemingly small adaptive changes in promoting fundamental shifts in the intracellular behavior and virulence of these important human pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoë A Hilbert
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Joseph M Bednarek
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Mara J W Schwiesow
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Krystal Y Chung
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christian T Moreau
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jessica C S Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nels C Elde
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bunma C, Noinarin P, Phetcharaburanin J, Chareonsudjai S. Burkholderia pseudomallei biofilm resists Acanthamoeba sp. grazing and produces 8-O-4'-diferulic acid, a superoxide scavenging metabolite after passage through the amoeba. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16578. [PMID: 37789212 PMCID: PMC10547685 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43824-1] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei, an etiological agent of melioidosis is an environmental bacterium that can survive as an intracellular pathogen. The biofilm produced by B. pseudomallei is crucial for cellular pathogenesis of melioidosis. The purpose of this investigation is to explore the role of biofilm in survival of B. pseudomallei during encounters with Acanthamoeba sp. using B. pseudomallei H777 (a biofilm wild type), M10 (a biofilm defect mutant) and C17 (a biofilm-complemented strain). The results demonstrated similar adhesion to amoebae by both the biofilm wild type and biofilm mutant strains. There was higher initial internalisation, but the difference diminished after longer encounter with the amoeba. Interestingly, confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that pre-formed biofilm of B. pseudomallei H777 and C17 were markedly more persistent in the face of Acanthamoeba sp. grazing than that of M10. Metabolomic analysis revealed a significant increased level of 8-O-4'-diferulic acid, a superoxide scavenger metabolite, in B. pseudomallei H777 serially passaged in Acanthamoeba sp. The interaction between B. pseudomallei with a free-living amoeba may indicate the evolutionary pathway that enables the bacterium to withstand superoxide radicals in intracellular environments. This study supports the hypothesis that B. pseudomallei biofilm persists under grazing by amoebae and suggests a strategy of metabolite production that turns this bacterium from saprophyte to intracellular pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chainarong Bunma
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Parumon Noinarin
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Jutarop Phetcharaburanin
- Department of Systems Biosciences and Computational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Khon Kaen University Phenome Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sorujsiri Chareonsudjai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sam G, Stenos J, Graves SR, Rehm BHA. Q fever immunology: the quest for a safe and effective vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:133. [PMID: 37679410 PMCID: PMC10484952 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is an infectious zoonotic disease, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Transmission occurs from livestock to humans through inhalation of a survival form of the bacterium, the Small Cell Variant, often via handling of animal parturition products. Q fever manifests as an acute self-limiting febrile illness or as a chronic disease with complications such as vasculitis and endocarditis. The current preventative human Q fever vaccine Q-VAX poses limitations on its worldwide implementation due to reactogenic responses in pre-sensitized individuals. Many strategies have been undertaken to develop a universal Q fever vaccine but with little success to date. The mechanisms of the underlying reactogenic responses remain only partially understood and are important factors in the development of a safe Q fever vaccine. This review provides an overview of previous and current experimental vaccines developed for use against Q fever and proposes approaches to develop a vaccine that establishes immunological memory while eliminating harmful reactogenic responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Sam
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Stephen R Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, 2567, Australia
| | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nasher F, Wren BW. Flagellin O-linked glycans are required for the interactions between Campylobacter jejuni and Acanthamoebae castellanii. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001386. [PMID: 37610804 PMCID: PMC10482376 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The predation and engulfment of bacteria by Acanthamoebae facilitates intimate interactions between host and prey. This process plays an important and underestimated role in the physiology, ecology and evolution of pathogenic bacteria. Acanthamoebae species can be reservoirs for many important human pathogens including Campylobacter jejuni. C. jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial foodborne enteritis worldwide, despite being a microaerophile that is incapable of withstanding atmospheric levels of oxygen long-term. The persistence and transmission of this major pathogen in the natural environment outside its avian and mammalian hosts is not fully understood. Recent evidence has provided insight into the relationship of C. jejuni and Acanthamoebae spp. where Acanthamoebae are a transient host for this pathogen. Mutations to the flagella components were shown to affect C. jejuni-A. castellanii interactions. Here, we show that the motility function of flagella is not a prerequisite for C. jejuni-A. castellanii interactions and that specific O-linked glycan modifications of the C. jejuni major flagellin, FlaA, are important for the recognition, interaction and phagocytosis by A. castellanii. Substitution of the O-linked glycosylated serine 415 and threonine 477 with alanine within FlaA abolished C. jejuni interactions with A. castellanii and these mutants were indistinguishable from a ΔflaA mutant. By contrast, mutation to serine 405 did not affect C. jejuni 11168H and A. castellanii interactions. Given the abundance of flagella glycosylation among clinically important pathogens, our observations may have a wider implication for understanding host-pathogen interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fauzy Nasher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kim MJ, Moon EK, Jo HJ, Quan FS, Kong HH. Identifying the function of genes involved in excreted vesicle formation in Acanthamoeba castellanii containing Legionella pneumophila. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:215. [PMID: 37380986 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05824-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Legionella spp. can survive and replicate inside host cells such as protozoa and macrophages. After enough growth, Legionella is released from the host cells as free legionellae or Legionella-filled vesicles. The vesicles support Legionella to survive for a long time in the environment and transmit to a new host. In this study, we identified the differentially expressed genes of Acanthamoeba infected by Legionella (ACA1_114460, ACA1_091500, and ACA1_362260) and examined their roles in the formation of the excreted vesicles and escape of Legionella from the Acanthamoeba. METHODS After ingestion of Escherichia coli and Legionella pneumophila, expression levels of target genes in Acanthamoeba were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The roles of target genes were investigated by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA). The formation of Legionella-containing excreted vesicles and the vesicular co-localization with the lysosomes were examined by Giemsa stain and LysoTracker stain. RESULTS ACA1_114460, ACA1_091500, and ACA1_362260 were upregulated after ingestion of Legionella in Acanthamoeba. ACA1_114460- and ACA1_091500-silenced Acanthamoeba failed to form the Legionella-containing excreted vesicles. Legionella was released as free legionellae from the Acanthamoeba. When the ACA1_362260 of Acanthamoeba was silenced, Legionella-containing excreted vesicles were fused with the lysosome. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that ACA1_114460, ACA1_091500, and ACA1_362260 of Acanthamoeba played important roles in the formation of Legionella-containing excreted vesicles and inhibition of the lysosomal co-localization with the phagosome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jeong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Moon
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jeong Jo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate school, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Hee Kong
- Department of Parasitology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ferrins L, Buskes MJ, Kapteyn MM, Engels HN, Enos SE, Lu C, Klug DM, Singh B, Quotadamo A, Bachovchin K, Tear WF, Spaulding AE, Forbes KC, Bag S, Rivers M, LeBlanc C, Burchfield E, Armand JR, Diaz-Gonzalez R, Ceballos-Perez G, García-Hernández R, Pérez-Moreno G, Bosch-Navarrete C, Gómez-Liñán C, Ruiz-Pérez LM, Gamarro F, González-Pacanowska D, Navarro M, Mensa-Wilmot K, Pollastri MP, Kyle DE, Rice CA. Identification of novel anti-amoebic pharmacophores from kinase inhibitor chemotypes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1149145. [PMID: 37234530 PMCID: PMC10206040 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1149145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba species, Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris are opportunistic pathogens that cause a range of brain, skin, eye, and disseminated diseases in humans and animals. These pathogenic free-living amoebae (pFLA) are commonly misdiagnosed and have sub-optimal treatment regimens which contribute to the extremely high mortality rates (>90%) when they infect the central nervous system. To address the unmet medical need for effective therapeutics, we screened kinase inhibitor chemotypes against three pFLA using phenotypic drug assays involving CellTiter-Glo 2.0. Herein, we report the activity of the compounds against the trophozoite stage of each of the three amoebae, ranging from nanomolar to low micromolar potency. The most potent compounds that were identified from this screening effort were: 2d (A. castellanii EC50: 0.92 ± 0.3 μM; and N. fowleri EC50: 0.43 ± 0.13 μM), 1c and 2b (N. fowleri EC50s: <0.63 μM, and 0.3 ± 0.21 μM), and 4b and 7b (B. mandrillaris EC50s: 1.0 ± 0.12 μM, and 1.4 ± 0.17 μM, respectively). With several of these pharmacophores already possessing blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability properties, or are predicted to penetrate the BBB, these hits present novel starting points for optimization as future treatments for pFLA-caused diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lori Ferrins
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Melissa J. Buskes
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Madison M. Kapteyn
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Hannah N. Engels
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Suzanne E. Enos
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Chenyang Lu
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Dana M. Klug
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Baljinder Singh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Antonio Quotadamo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Kelly Bachovchin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Westley F. Tear
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Andrew E. Spaulding
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Katherine C. Forbes
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Seema Bag
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mitch Rivers
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Catherine LeBlanc
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Erin Burchfield
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeremy R. Armand
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rosario Diaz-Gonzalez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Gloria Ceballos-Perez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Raquel García-Hernández
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Guiomar Pérez-Moreno
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Bosch-Navarrete
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia Gómez-Liñán
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ruiz-Pérez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Gamarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Dolores González-Pacanowska
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Navarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra” Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Kojo Mensa-Wilmot
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Michael P. Pollastri
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Christopher A. Rice
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Baccari O, Barkallah M, Elleuch J, Ben Ayed N, Chtourou A, Karray-Hakim H, Hammami A, Michaud P, Fendri I, Abdelkafi S. Development of a duplex q-PCR for the simultaneous detection of Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Simkania negevensis in environmental and clinical samples. Anal Biochem 2023; 667:115080. [PMID: 36775111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115080] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Simkania negevensis, two Chlamydia-like bacteria, have been recently recognized as emerging human respiratory pathogens. The prevalence and frequency of these bacteria in the environment and among atypical pneumonia patients are still underestimated by classical cultures, immunohistochemistry and serology which are non-specific, long and tedious methods. This study aims to develop a new duplex probe-based q-PCR assay for the simultaneous detection and quantification of P. acanthamoebae and S. negevensis. The selected hydrolysis probes displayed no cross-reaction with the closely related Chlamydia or the other tested waterborne pathogens. The assay achieved a large dynamic range for quantification (from 5 × 106 to 5 DNA copies/reaction). Efficiencies of FAM and JOE label probes weren't affected when they were combined. They were close to 100%, indicating the linear amplification. The application of this diagnostic tool resulted in 9/47 (19%) and 4/47 (8.5%) positive water samples for P. acanthamoebae and S. negevensis, respectively. P. acanthamoebae was also covered from 2/78 (2.5%) respiratory specimens and only one case (1/200 = 0.5%) of P. acanthamoebae and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection was noticed. While S. negevensis wasn't detected in clinical samples, the developed duplex q-PCR was shown to be an accurate, highly sensitive, and robust diagnostic tool for the detection and quantification of P. acanthamoebae and S. negevensis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olfa Baccari
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Barkallah
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jihen Elleuch
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Nourelhouda Ben Ayed
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Amel Chtourou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Héla Karray-Hakim
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Adenene Hammami
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Philippe Michaud
- Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Imen Fendri
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale Appliquée à l'Amélioration des Cultures, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Slim Abdelkafi
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Siddiqui R, Muhammad JS, Alharbi AM, Alfahemi H, Khan NA. Can Acanthamoeba Harbor Monkeypox Virus? Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040855. [PMID: 37110278 PMCID: PMC10146756 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is well known to host a variety of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and yeast. Given the recent number of cases of monkeypox infection, we speculate that amoebae may be aiding viral transmission to the susceptible hosts. Although there is no confirmatory evidence to suggest that Acanthamoeba is a host to monkeypox (a double-stranded DNA virus), the recent discovery of mimivirus (another double-stranded DNA virus) from Acanthamoeba, suggests that amoebae may shelter monkeypox virus. Furthermore, given the possible spread of monkeypox virus from animals to humans during an earlier outbreak, which came about after patients came in contact with prairie dogs, it is likely that animals may also act as mixing vessel between ubiquitously distributed Acanthamoeba and monkeypox virus, in addition to the environmental habitat that acts as an interface in complex interactions between diverse microorganisms and the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | | | - Ahmad M. Alharbi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hasan Alfahemi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha 65799, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-65057722
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Novel Anti-Acanthamoebic Activities of Irosustat and STX140 and Their Nanoformulations. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030561. [PMID: 36978428 PMCID: PMC10044433 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Acanthamoeba produce keratitis and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Treatment remains problematic and often ineffective, suggesting the need for the discovery of novel compounds. For the first time, here we evaluated the effects of the anticancer drugs Irosustat and STX140 alone, as well as their nanoformulations, against A. castellanii via amoebicidal, excystment, cytopathogenicity, and cytotoxicity assays. Nanoformulations of the compounds were successfully synthesized with high encapsulation efficiency of 94% and 82% for Irosustat and STX140, respectively. Nanoparticles formed were spherical in shape and had a unimodal narrow particle size distribution, mean of 145 and 244 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.3, and surface charge of −14 and −15 mV, respectively. Irosustat and STX140 exhibited a biphasic release profile with almost 100% drug released after 48 h. Notably, Irosustat significantly inhibited A. castellanii viability and amoebae-mediated cytopathogenicity and inhibited the phenotypic transformation of amoebae cysts into the trophozoite form, however their nanoformulations depicted limited effects against amoebae but exhibited minimal cytotoxicity when tested against human cells using lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Accordingly, both compounds have potential for further studies, with the hope of discovering novel anti-Acanthamoeba compounds, and potentially developing targeted therapy against infections of the central nervous system.
Collapse
|
27
|
The Status of Molecular Analyses of Isolates of Acanthamoeba Maintained by International Culture Collections. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020295. [PMID: 36838260 PMCID: PMC9961329 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020295] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is among the most ubiquitous protistan groups in nature. Knowledge of the biological diversity of Acanthamoeba comes in part from the use of strains maintained by the major microbial culture collections, ATCC and CCAP. Standard strains are vital to ensure the comparability of research. The diversity of standard strains of Acanthamoeba in the culture collections is reviewed, emphasizing the extent of genotypic studies based on DNA sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA from the nucleus (18S rRNA gene; Rns) or the mitochondria (16S-like rRNA gene; rns). Over 170 different strains have been maintained at some time by culture centers. DNA sequence information is available for more than 70% of these strains. Determination of the genotypic classification of standard strains within the genus indicates that frequencies of types within culture collections only roughly mirror that from clinical or environmental studies, with significant differences in the frequency of some genotypes. Culture collections include the type of isolate from almost all named species of Acanthamoeba, allowing an evaluation of the validity of species designations. Multiple species are found to share the same Sequence Type, while multiple Sequence Types have been identified for different strains that share the same species name. Issues of sequence reliability and the possibility that a small number of standard strains have been mislabeled when studied are also examined, leading to potential problems for comparative analyses. It is important that all species have reliable genotype designations. The culture collections should be encouraged to assist in completing the molecular inventory of standard strains, while workers in the Acanthamoeba research community should endeavor to ensure that strains representative of genotypes that are missing from the culture collection are provided to the culture centers for preservation.
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang Y, Jiang L, Zhao Y, Ju X, Wang L, Jin L, Fine RD, Li M. Biological characteristics and pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1147077. [PMID: 37089530 PMCID: PMC10113681 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1147077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoa, which exists widely in nature and is mainly distributed in soil and water. Acanthamoeba usually exists in two forms, trophozoites and cysts. The trophozoite stage is one of growth and reproduction while the cyst stage is characterized by cellular quiescence, commonly resulting in human infection, and the lack of effective monotherapy after initial infection leads to chronic disease. Acanthamoeba can infect several human body tissues such as the skin, cornea, conjunctiva, respiratory tract, and reproductive tract, especially when the tissue barriers are damaged. Furthermore, serious infections can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, skin, and lung infections. With an increasing number of Acanthamoeba infections in recent years, the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba is becoming more relevant to mainstream clinical care. This review article will describe the etiological characteristics of Acanthamoeba infection in detail from the aspects of biological characteristic, classification, disease, and pathogenic mechanism in order to provide scientific basis for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Acanthamoeba infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Wang
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
| | - Linzhe Jiang
- General Surgery, Jilin People’s Hospital, Jilin City, China
| | - Yitong Zhao
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
| | - Xiaohong Ju
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Jilin City, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Jilin City, China
| | - Ryan D. Fine
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Mingguang Li
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
- *Correspondence: Mingguang Li,
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bajgar A, Krejčová G. On the origin of the functional versatility of macrophages. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1128984. [PMID: 36909237 PMCID: PMC9998073 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1128984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages represent the most functionally versatile cells in the animal body. In addition to recognizing and destroying pathogens, macrophages remove senescent and exhausted cells, promote wound healing, and govern tissue and metabolic homeostasis. In addition, many specialized populations of tissue-resident macrophages exhibit highly specialized functions essential for the function of specific organs. Sometimes, however, macrophages cease to perform their protective function and their seemingly incomprehensible response to certain stimuli leads to pathology. In this study, we address the question of the origin of the functional versatility of macrophages. To this end, we have searched for the evolutionary origin of macrophages themselves and for the emergence of their characteristic properties. We hypothesize that many of the characteristic features of proinflammatory macrophages evolved in the unicellular ancestors of animals, and that the functional repertoire of macrophage-like amoebocytes further expanded with the evolution of multicellularity and the increasing complexity of tissues and organ systems. We suggest that the entire repertoire of macrophage functions evolved by repurposing and diversification of basic functions that evolved early in the evolution of metazoans under conditions barely comparable to that in tissues of multicellular organisms. We believe that by applying this perspective, we may find an explanation for the otherwise counterintuitive behavior of macrophages in many human pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bajgar
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Biology Centre, Institute of Entomology, Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Gabriela Krejčová
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Biology Centre, Institute of Entomology, Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Antiamoebic Properties of Ceftriaxone and Zinc-Oxide-Cyclodextrin-Conjugated Ceftriaxone. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121721. [PMID: 36551378 PMCID: PMC9774710 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121721] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba castellanii is a ubiquitous free-living amoeba capable of instigating keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in humans. Treatment remains limited and inconsistent. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for novel compounds. Nanotechnology has been gaining attention for enhancing drug delivery and reducing toxicity. Previous work has shown that various antibiotic classes displayed antiamoebic activity. Herein, we employed two antibiotics: ampicillin and ceftriaxone, conjugated with the nanocarrier zinc oxide and β-cyclodextrin, and tested them against A. castellanii via amoebicidal, amoebistatic, encystment, excystment, cytopathogenicity, and cytotoxicity assays at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Notably, zinc oxide β-cyclodextrin ceftriaxone significantly inhibited A. castellanii growth and cytopathogenicity. Additionally, both zinc oxide β-cyclodextrin ceftriaxone and ceftriaxone markedly inhibited A. castellanii encystment. Furthermore, all the tested compounds displayed negligible cytotoxicity. However, minimal anti-excystment or amoebicidal effects were observed for the compounds. Accordingly, this novel nanoconjugation should be employed in further studies in hope of discovering novel anti-Acanthamoeba compounds.
Collapse
|
31
|
Salazar-Ardiles C, Pérez-Arancibia A, Asserella-Rebollo L, Gómez-Silva B. Presence of Free-living Acanthamoeba in Loa and Salado Rivers, Atacama Desert, Northern Chile. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122315. [PMID: 36557568 PMCID: PMC9784158 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122315] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial knowledge has accumulated on the microbiome of the hyperarid Atacama Desert during the last two decades; however, information on Atacama free-living amoebae (FLA) is limited and increasing efforts are required. FLA are polyphyletic heterotrophic naked or testate protists that feed on organic matter, fungi, protozoa, and bacteria and may disseminate infections. Amoebae in Chile are represented by 416 taxa and 64 genera, and 29 taxa have been identified in arid shrub lands at the southern limit of the Atacama Desert, and Acanthamoeba are present in all the country's regions. To expand our knowledge and to contribute to the biogeographic distribution of Atacama FLA, we report the dominant presence of members of the genus Acanthamoeba in water and sediment sampled at the Loa and Salado rivers in the pre-Andean zone of the Antofagasta Region, northern Chile, at sites 2500 m above sea level. We expect these observations and preliminary evidence of FLA presence in other wetlands (Chiuchiu, Tebenquiche) in this region to be incentive for further exploration of Atacama amoebae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Salazar-Ardiles
- Departamento Tecnología Médica, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biomedical Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CeBiB), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
| | - Alexander Pérez-Arancibia
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biomedical Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CeBiB), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
| | - Leyla Asserella-Rebollo
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santo Tomas 083067, Chile
| | - Benito Gómez-Silva
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biomedical Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CeBiB), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|