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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.
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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
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Selberherr E, Penz T, König L, Conrady B, Siegl A, Horn M, Schmitz-Esser S. The life cycle-dependent transcriptional profile of the obligate intracellular amoeba symbiont Amoebophilus asiaticus. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6499296. [PMID: 34999767 PMCID: PMC8831229 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae often harbor obligate intracellular bacterial symbionts. Amoebophilus (A.) asiaticus is a representative of a lineage of amoeba symbionts in the phylum Bacteroidota. Here, we analyse the transcriptome of A. asiaticus strain 5a2 at four time points during its infection cycle and replication within the Acanthamoeba host using RNA sequencing. Our results reveal a dynamic transcriptional landscape throughout different A. asiaticus life cycle stages. Many intracellular bacteria and pathogens utilize eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) for host cell interaction and the A. asiaticus 5a2 genome shows a particularly high abundance of ELPs. We show the expression of all genes encoding ELPs and found many ELPs to be differentially expressed. At the replicative stage of A. asiaticus, ankyrin repeat proteins and tetratricopeptide/Sel1-like repeat proteins were upregulated. At the later time points, high expression levels of a type 6 secretion system that likely prepares for a new infection cycle after lysing its host, were found. This study reveals comprehensive insights into the intracellular lifestyle of A. asiaticus and highlights candidate genes for host cell interaction. The results from this study have implications for other intracellular bacteria such as other amoeba-associated bacteria and the arthropod symbionts Cardinium forming the sister lineage of A. asiaticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Selberherr
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - T Penz
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,current affiliation: CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - L König
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - B Conrady
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Siegl
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Horn
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - S Schmitz-Esser
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, USA
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Mohd Hussain RH, Abdul Ghani MK, Khan NA, Siddiqui R, Anuar TS. Acanthamoeba species isolated from marine water in Malaysia exhibit distinct genotypes and variable physiological properties. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2022; 20:54-67. [PMID: 35100154 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2021.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study identifies the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in five marine waters in Malaysia. Fifty water samples were collected between January and May 2019. Physical parameters of water quality were measured in situ, whereas chemical and microbiological analyses were conducted in the laboratory. All samples had undergone filtration using nitrocellulose membrane and were tested for Acanthamoeba using cultivation and polymerase chain reaction by targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was identified using physiological tolerance tests. Thirty-six (72.0%) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba. Total coliforms (p = 0.013) and pH level (p = 0.023) displayed significant correlation with Acanthamoeba presence. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 27 samples belonged to genotype T4, four (T11), two (T18) and one from each genotype T5, T15 and T20. Thermo- and osmo-tolerance tests signified that three (8.3%) Acanthamoeba strains displayed highly pathogenic attributes. This study is the first investigation in Malaysia describing Acanthamoeba detection in marine water with molecular techniques and genotyping. The study outcomes revealed that the marine water in Malaysia could be an integral source of Acanthamoeba strains potentially pathogenic in humans. Thus, the potential risk of this water should be monitored routinely in each region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosnani Hanim Mohd Hussain
- Centre for Medical Laboratory Technology Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia E-mail:
| | - Mohamed Kamel Abdul Ghani
- Programme of Biomedical Sciences, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tengku Shahrul Anuar
- Centre for Medical Laboratory Technology Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia E-mail:
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Rayamajhee B, Subedi D, Peguda HK, Willcox MD, Henriquez FL, Carnt N. A Systematic Review of Intracellular Microorganisms within Acanthamoeba to Understand Potential Impact for Infection. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020225. [PMID: 33670718 PMCID: PMC7922382 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic pathogen is known to cause an infection of the cornea, central nervous system, and skin. Acanthamoeba feeds different microorganisms, including potentially pathogenic prokaryotes; some of microbes have developed ways of surviving intracellularly and this may mean that Acanthamoeba acts as incubator of important pathogens. A systematic review of the literature was performed in order to capture a comprehensive picture of the variety of microbial species identified within Acanthamoeba following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, 26 studies (60.5%) examined environmental samples, eight (18.6%) studies examined clinical specimens, and another nine (20.9%) studies analysed both types of samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by gene sequencing was the most common technique used to identify the intracellular microorganisms. Important pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, Mycobacterium spp. and P. aeruginosa, were observed in clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba, whereas Legionella, adenovirus, mimivirus, and unidentified bacteria (Candidatus) were often identified in environmental Acanthamoeba. Increasing resistance of Acanthamoeba associated intracellular pathogens to antimicrobials is an increased risk to public health. Molecular-based future studies are needed in order to assess the microbiome residing in Acanthamoeba, as a research on the hypotheses that intracellular microbes can affect the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
- Department of Infection and Immunology, Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences (KRIBS), Lalitpur 44700, Nepal
- Correspondence: or
| | - Dinesh Subedi
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
| | - Hari Kumar Peguda
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
| | - Mark Duncan Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
| | - Fiona L. Henriquez
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Paisley PA1 2BE, UK;
| | - Nicole Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (H.K.P.); (M.D.W.); (N.C.)
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Brumfield KD, Hasan NA, Leddy MB, Cotruvo JA, Rashed SM, Colwell RR, Huq A. A comparative analysis of drinking water employing metagenomics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231210. [PMID: 32271799 PMCID: PMC7145143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbiological content of drinking water traditionally is determined by employing culture-dependent methods that are unable to detect all microorganisms, especially those that are not culturable. High-throughput sequencing now makes it possible to determine the microbiome of drinking water. Thus, the natural microbiota of water and water distribution systems can now be determined more accurately and analyzed in significantly greater detail, providing comprehensive understanding of the microbial community of drinking water applicable to public health. In this study, shotgun metagenomic analysis was performed to determine the microbiological content of drinking water and to provide a preliminary assessment of tap, drinking fountain, sparkling natural mineral, and non-mineral bottled water. Predominant bacterial species detected were members of the phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, notably the genera Alishewanella, Salmonella, and Propionibacterium in non-carbonated non-mineral bottled water, Methyloversatilis and Methylibium in sparkling natural mineral water, and Mycobacterium and Afipia in tap and drinking fountain water. Fecal indicator bacteria, i.e., Escherichia coli or enterococci, were not detected in any samples examined in this study. Bacteriophages and DNA encoding a few virulence-associated factors were detected but determined to be present only at low abundance. Antibiotic resistance markers were detected only at abundance values below our threshold of confidence. DNA of opportunistic plant and animal pathogens was identified in some samples and these included bacteria (Mycobacterium spp.), protozoa (Acanthamoeba mauritaniensis and Acanthamoeba palestinensis), and fungi (Melampsora pinitorqua and Chryosporium queenslandicum). Archaeal DNA (Candidatus Nitrosoarchaeum) was detected only in sparkling natural mineral water. This preliminary study reports the complete microbiome (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists) of selected types of drinking water employing whole-genome high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics. Investigation into activity and function of the organisms detected is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle D. Brumfield
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, MD, College Park, United States of America
- University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Nur A. Hasan
- University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
- CosmosID Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America
| | - Menu B. Leddy
- Essential Environmental and Engineering Systems, Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America
| | - Joseph A. Cotruvo
- Joseph Cotruvo and Associates LLC, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Shah M. Rashed
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, MD, College Park, United States of America
- CosmosID Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America
| | - Rita R. Colwell
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, MD, College Park, United States of America
- University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
- CosmosID Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America
| | - Anwar Huq
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, MD, College Park, United States of America
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Mioduchowska M, Czyż MJ, Gołdyn B, Kilikowska A, Namiotko T, Pinceel T, Łaciak M, Sell J. Detection of bacterial endosymbionts in freshwater crustaceans: the applicability of non-degenerate primers to amplify the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. PeerJ 2018; 6:e6039. [PMID: 30581663 PMCID: PMC6296333 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial endosymbionts of aquatic invertebrates remain poorly studied. This is at least partly due to a lack of suitable techniques and primers for their identification. We designed a pair of non-degenerate primers which enabled us to amplify a fragment of ca. 500 bp of the 16S rRNA gene from various known bacterial endosymbiont species. By using this approach, we identified four bacterial endosymbionts, two endoparasites and one uncultured bacterium in seven, taxonomically diverse, freshwater crustacean hosts from temporary waters across a wide geographical area. The overall efficiency of our new WOLBSL and WOLBSR primers for amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was 100%. However, if different bacterial species from one sample were amplified simultaneously, sequences were illegible, despite a good quality of PCR products. Therefore, we suggest using our primers at the first stage of bacterial endosymbiont identification. Subsequently, genus specific primers are recommended. Overall, in the era of next-generation sequencing our method can be used as a first simple and low-cost approach to identify potential microbial symbionts associated with freshwater crustaceans using simple Sanger sequencing. The potential to detected bacterial symbionts in various invertebrate hosts in such a way will facilitate studies on host-symbiont interactions and coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Mioduchowska
- Department of Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Michał Jan Czyż
- Research Centre of Quarantine, Invasive and Genetically Modified Organisms, Institute of Plant Protection-National Research Institute, Poznan, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Gołdyn
- Department of General Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Adrianna Kilikowska
- Department of Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Namiotko
- Department of Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tom Pinceel
- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Małgorzata Łaciak
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Nature Conservation, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jerzy Sell
- Department of Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Proctor CR, Dai D, Edwards MA, Pruden A. Interactive effects of temperature, organic carbon, and pipe material on microbiota composition and Legionella pneumophila in hot water plumbing systems. MICROBIOME 2017; 5:130. [PMID: 28978350 PMCID: PMC5628487 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-017-0348-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several biotic and abiotic factors have been reported to influence the proliferation of microbes, including Legionella pneumophila, in hot water premise plumbing systems, but their combined effects have not been systematically evaluated. Here, we utilize simulated household water heaters to examine the effects of stepwise increases in temperature (32-53 °C), pipe material (copper vs. cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)), and influent assimilable organic carbon (0-700 μg/L) on opportunistic pathogen gene copy numbers and the microbiota composition, as determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS Temperature had an overarching influence on both the microbiota composition and L. pneumophila numbers. L. pneumophila peaked at 41 °C in the presence of PEX (1.58 × 105 gene copies/mL). At 53 °C, L. pneumophila was not detected. Several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) persisted across all conditions, accounting for 50% of the microbiota composition from 32 to 49 °C and 20% at 53 °C. Pipe material most strongly influenced microbiota composition at lower temperatures, driven by five to six OTUs enriched with each material. Copper pipes supported less L. pneumophila than PEX pipes (mean 2.5 log10 lower) at temperatures ≤ 41 °C, but showed no difference in total bacterial numbers. Differences between pipe materials diminished with elevated temperature, probably resulting from decreased release of copper ions. At temperatures ≤ 45 °C, influent assimilable organic carbon correlated well with total bacterial numbers, but not with L. pneumophila numbers. At 53 °C, PEX pipes leached organic carbon, reducing the importance of dosed organic carbon. L. pneumophila numbers correlated with a Legionella OTU and a Methylophilus OTU identified by amplicon sequencing. CONCLUSIONS Temperature was the most effective factor for the control of L. pneumophila, while microbiota composition shifted with each stepwise temperature increase. While copper pipe may also help shape the microbiota composition and limit L. pneumophila proliferation, its benefits might be constrained at higher temperatures. Influent assimilable organic carbon affected total bacterial numbers, but had minimal influence on opportunistic pathogen gene numbers or microbiota composition. These findings provide guidance among multiple control measures for the growth of opportunistic pathogens in hot water plumbing and insight into the mediating role of microbial ecological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R. Proctor
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061 USA
- EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstr 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Dongjuan Dai
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061 USA
| | - Marc A. Edwards
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061 USA
| | - Amy Pruden
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061 USA
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Shokri A, Sarvi S, Daryani A, Sharif M. Isolation and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. as Neglected Parasites in North of Iran. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2016; 54:447-53. [PMID: 27658596 PMCID: PMC5040085 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.4.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is widely distributed in the environment, water sources, soil, dust, and air. It can cause keratitis in contact lens wearers with poor hygiene and also fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the distribution and genotypes of the potentially pathogenic species of Acanthamoeba present in water sources in north of Iran. Total 43 Acanthamoeba species were isolated from 77 water samples taken from different water sources within the Mazandaran province in Northern Iran (Sari city and suburbs). Isolates were identified based on cyst and trophozoite morphological characteristics as well genetics. PCR fragments corresponding to the small-subunit 18S rRNA gene were sequenced for 20 of 43 positive isolates. The results revealed that 83.3% of sequenced isolates belonged to the T4 genotype and the rest belonged to the T2 genotype. Our results indicated that Acanthamoeba is widely distributed in Sari city. As the incidence in Iran of amoebic keratitis has increased in recent years, the exact estimation of the prevalence of this amoeba and its predominant genotype may play a crucial role in prevention of the disease. Sari city has several rivers, seashores, and natural recreational amenities, which attract visitors during the year. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba genotypes from water sources in Sari city, Mazandaran province of Iran, and the results suggest that more attention is needed to protect the visiting population and immunocompromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azar Shokri
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran Province, 48175-1683, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center (TRC), Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran Province, 48175-1665, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center (TRC), Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran Province, 48175-1665, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center (TRC), Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran Province, 48175-1665, Iran
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Maschio VJ, Corção G, Bücker F, Caumo K, Rott MB. Identification of Paenibacillus as a Symbiont in Acanthamoeba. Curr Microbiol 2015; 71:415-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-015-0869-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Nguyen MTHD, Liu M, Thomas T. Ankyrin-repeat proteins from sponge symbionts modulate amoebal phagocytosis. Mol Ecol 2013; 23:1635-1645. [PMID: 23980812 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria-eukaryote symbiosis occurs in all stages of evolution, from simple amoebae to mammals, and from facultative to obligate associations. Sponges are ancient metazoans that form intimate symbiotic interactions with complex communities of bacteria. The basic nutritional requirements of the sponge are in part satisfied by the phagocytosis of bacterial food particles from the surrounding water. How bacterial symbionts, which are permanently associated with the sponge, survive in the presence of phagocytic cells is largely unknown. Here, we present the discovery of a genomic fragment from an uncultured gamma-proteobacterial sponge symbiont that encodes for four proteins, whose closest known relatives are found in a sponge genome. Through recombinant approaches, we show that these four eukaryotic-like, ankyrin-repeat proteins (ARP) when expressed in Eschericha coli can modulate phagocytosis of amoebal cells and lead to accumulation of bacteria in the phagosome. Mechanistically, two ARPs appear to interfere with phagosome development in a similar way to reduced vacuole acidification, by blocking the fusion of the early phagosome with the lysosome and its digestive enzymes. Our results show that ARP from sponge symbionts can function to interfere with phagocytosis, and we postulate that this might be one mechanism by which symbionts can escape digestion in a sponge host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary T H D Nguyen
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences and Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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11
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Tanveer T, Hameed A, Muazzam AG, Jung SY, Gul A, Matin A. Isolation and molecular characterization of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotypes from diverse water resources including household drinking water from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:2925-32. [PMID: 23749088 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3465-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic protozoan pathogen, is ubiquitous in nature, and therefore plays a predatory role and helps control microbial communities in the ecosystem. These Acanthamoeba species are recognized as opportunistic human pathogens that may cause blinding keratitis and rare but fatal granulomatous encephalitis. To date, there is not a single report demonstrating Acanthamoeba isolation and identification from environmental sources in Pakistan, and that is the aim of this study. Acanthamoeba were identified by morphological characteristics of their cysts on non-nutrient agar plates seeded with Escherichia coli. Additionally, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with genus-specific primers followed by direct sequencing of the PCR product for molecular identification. Furthermore, our PCR and sequencing results confirmed seven different pathogenic and nonpathogenic genotypes, including T2-T10, T4, T5, T7, T15, T16, and T17. To the best of our knowledge, we have identified and isolated Acanthamoeba sp., for the first time, from water resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. There is an urgent need to address (1) the pathogenic potential of the identified genotypes and (2) explore other environmental sources from the country to examine the water quality and the current status of Acanthamoeba species in Pakistan, which may be a potential threat for public health across the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Tanveer
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering, Islamabad, Pakistan
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12
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Drancourt M. Infectious ophthalmology, a neglected field in clinical microbiology. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013; 19:209. [PMID: 23438027 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Liu R, Yu Z, Zhang H, Yang M, Shi B, Liu X. Diversity of bacteria and mycobacteria in biofilms of two urban drinking water distribution systems. Can J Microbiol 2012; 58:261-70. [DOI: 10.1139/w11-129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, to give insight into the bacterial diversity of biofilms from full-scale drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), the bacterial community compositions of biofilms from two urban DWDSs (Guangzhou and Beijing, China) were determined using a 16S rRNA gene library technique. Meanwhile, the occurrence and diversity of mycobacteria were also analyzed by a Mycobacterium -specific hsp gene assay. The biofilms from the full-scale DWDSs have complex bacterial populations. Proteobacteria was the common and predominant group in all biofilm samples, in agreement with previous reports. The community structures of bacteria at the three sites in Guangzhou DWDS were significantly different, despite the similar physicochemical properties of portable water. Some abundant and peculiar bacterial phylotypes were noteworthy, including Methylophilus , Massilia , and Planomicrobium , members of which are rarely found in DWDSs and their roles in DWDS biofilms are still unclear. The diversity of Mycobacterium species in biofilm samples was rather low. Mycobacterium arupense and Mycobacterium gordonae were the primary Mycobacterium species in Guangzhou and Beijing biofilms, respectively, indicating that M. arupense may be more resistant to chloride than M. gordonae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyin Liu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhisheng Yu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongxun Zhang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People’s Republic of China
| | - Baoyou Shi
- Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinchun Liu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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González-Robles A, Salazar-Villatoro L, González-Lázaro M, Omaña-Molina M, Martínez-Palomo A. Vahlkampfia sp: Structural observations of cultured trophozoites. Exp Parasitol 2012; 130:86-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Revised: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Schmitz-Esser S, Penz T, Spang A, Horn M. A bacterial genome in transition--an exceptional enrichment of IS elements but lack of evidence for recent transposition in the symbiont Amoebophilus asiaticus. BMC Evol Biol 2011; 11:270. [PMID: 21943072 PMCID: PMC3196728 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insertion sequence (IS) elements are important mediators of genome plasticity and are widespread among bacterial and archaeal genomes. The 1.88 Mbp genome of the obligate intracellular amoeba symbiont Amoebophilus asiaticus contains an unusually large number of transposase genes (n = 354; 23% of all genes). Results The transposase genes in the A. asiaticus genome can be assigned to 16 different IS elements termed ISCaa1 to ISCaa16, which are represented by 2 to 24 full-length copies, respectively. Despite this high IS element load, the A. asiaticus genome displays a GC skew pattern typical for most bacterial genomes, indicating that no major rearrangements have occurred recently. Additionally, the high sequence divergence of some IS elements, the high number of truncated IS element copies (n = 143), as well as the absence of direct repeats in most IS elements suggest that the IS elements of A. asiaticus are transpositionally inactive. Although we could show transcription of 13 IS elements, we did not find experimental evidence for transpositional activity, corroborating our results from sequence analyses. However, we detected contiguous transcripts between IS elements and their downstream genes at nine loci in the A. asiaticus genome, indicating that some IS elements influence the transcription of downstream genes, some of which might be important for host cell interaction. Conclusions Taken together, the IS elements in the A. asiaticus genome are currently in the process of degradation and largely represent reflections of the evolutionary past of A. asiaticus in which its genome was shaped by their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Schmitz-Esser
- Department of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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