Health Effects of Acanthamoeba spp. and Its Potential for Waterborne Transmission

Nwachuku, Nena; Gerba, Charles P.

doi:10.1007/0-387-21729-0_2

Cited by 27 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 125 publications

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“…They act as opportunistic as well as nonopportunistic pathogens, are the causative agents of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis, and have been associated with cutaneous lesions and sinusitis (18,20,(37)(38)(39). Both trophozoites and cysts have been shown to be resistant to chlorination used for disinfecting water systems (30,35,36).In addition, Acanthamoeba amoebas play a role as reservoirs for Legionella pneumophila and other amoeba-resistant microorganisms that include bacteria, fungi, and viruses (15).Enteroviruses (polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and newer enteroviruses) are naked small RNA viruses of the Picornaviridae family. They are important human pathogens often causing mild febrile illness, but clinical manifestations of enterovirus infections also include meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, and myocarditis (16,27).…”

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confidence: 99%

Acanthamoeba castellaniiPromotion of In Vitro Survival and Transmission of Coxsackie B3 Viruses

Mattana¹,

Serra

Mariotti³

et al. 2006

Eukaryot Cell

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This work was undertaken to determine whether Acanthamoeba could play a role in the survival and transmission of coxsackieviruses and focused on in vitro interactions between Acanthamoeba castellanii and coxsackie B3 viruses (CVB-3). Residual virus titer evaluations and immunofluorescence experiments revealed a remarkable CVB-3 adsorption on amoeba surfaces and accumulation inside cells. The survival of viruses was independent of the dynamics of amoeba replication and encystment. In addition, our results indicated that virus-infected amoebas can release infectious viruses during interaction with human macrophages. On the basis of these data, Acanthamoeba appears to be a potential promoter of the survival of coxsackieviruses and their transmission to human hosts.Free-living amoebas of the genus Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous in nature (34); they have been isolated from air (19, 32, 33), soil (2, 3, 6, 29), and water environments, including chlorinated swimming pools (10), drinking water (17, 28), cooling towers (5), natural thermal water (31), hospital water networks (35), and marine water (4). Acanthamoeba is characterized by a feeding and replicating trophozoitic stage which under adverse conditions can develop to a dormant cyst stage (34). Cysts are highly resistant forms capable of withstanding disinfection, desiccation, and extremes of temperature. When favorable conditions occur, the cysts hatch and the trophozoites emerge to feed and replicate. Acanthamoeba species are not parasites, as they do not require the infection of a host organism to complete their life cycles (11, 37). However, these amoebae can infect a variety of mammals, including humans, thereby producing severe and often fatal diseases. They act as opportunistic as well as nonopportunistic pathogens, are the causative agents of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis, and have been associated with cutaneous lesions and sinusitis (18,20,(37)(38)(39). Both trophozoites and cysts have been shown to be resistant to chlorination used for disinfecting water systems (30,35,36).In addition, Acanthamoeba amoebas play a role as reservoirs for Legionella pneumophila and other amoeba-resistant microorganisms that include bacteria, fungi, and viruses (15).Enteroviruses (polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and newer enteroviruses) are naked small RNA viruses of the Picornaviridae family. They are important human pathogens often causing mild febrile illness, but clinical manifestations of enterovirus infections also include meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, and myocarditis (16,27). Gastrointestinal involvement may also result. Transmission from person to person proceeds through the fecal-oral route. These viruses are widespread in marine water and also may be acquired by eating contaminated aquatic organisms (14). Although labile, they may persist in free-flowing estuarine or marine waters for several months and in some cases during the winter months (21). Although their life span in water may be prolonged by the influence of estu...

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confidence: 99%

Acanthamoeba castellaniiPromotion of In Vitro Survival and Transmission of Coxsackie B3 Viruses

Mattana¹,

Serra

Mariotti³

et al. 2006

Eukaryot Cell

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“…Since acanthamoebic keratitis is not a reportable disease, the true incidence is not known. Published works suggest an incidence rate of 0.58-0.71 cases/1.000.000 in the general population, and 1.65-2.01/1.000.000 among contact lens wearers (Nwachuku & Gerba, 2004). The given incidence among contact lens wearers is 3-5/1.000.000 in Holland, and 33/1.000.000 in Hong Kong (Seal, 2003).…”

Section: Epidemiology Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Acanthamoeba was isolated from bottled water also in Mexico. Acanthamoeba cyst can be isolated from air, dust, air conditioner, cooling towers (Kilvington et al, 2004;Nwachuku & Gerba, 2004). Acanthamoebic keratitis first reported by Nagington et al (Nagington et al, 1974) in Great Britain and by Jones et al Jones et al, 1975) in the United States is a painful progressive sight-threatening corneal disease.…”

Section: Epidemiology Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Keratoplasty in Contact Lens Related Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Kettesy¹,

Módis²,

Berta³

et al. 2012

Keratoplasties - Surgical Techniques and Complications

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“…Examples include regrowth of Salmonella in compost (85), bacterial ingestion by protozoa (29,54), and antagonistic substances produced by marine bacteria against enteric viruses (20).…”

Section: Conceptual Decision Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Criteria for Selection of Surrogates Used To Study the Fate and Control of Pathogens in the Environment

Sinclair

Rose

Hashsham

et al. 2012

Appl Environ Microbiol

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136

106

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e This article defines the term surrogate as an organism, particle, or substance used to study the fate of a pathogen in a specific environment. Pathogenic organisms, nonpathogenic organisms, and innocuous particles have been used as surrogates for a variety of purposes, including studies on survival and transport as well as for method development and as "indicators" of certain conditions. This article develops a qualitative surrogate attribute prioritization process and allows investigators to select a surrogate by systematically detailing the experimental process and prioritizing attributes. The results are described through the use of case studies of various laboratories that have used this process. This article also discusses the history of surrogate and microbial indicator use and outlines the method by which surrogates can be used when conducting a quantitative microbial risk assessment. The ultimate goal of selecting a sufficiently representative surrogate is to improve public health through a health-based risk assessment framework. Under-or overestimating the resistance, inactivation, or movement may negatively impact risk assessments that, in turn, will impact health assessments and estimated safety levels. Reducing uncertainty in a risk assessment is one of the objectives of using surrogates and the ultimate motive for any experiment investigating potential exposure of a pathogen.

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Health Effects of Acanthamoeba spp. and Its Potential for Waterborne Transmission

Cited by 27 publications

References 125 publications

Acanthamoeba castellaniiPromotion of In Vitro Survival and Transmission of Coxsackie B3 Viruses

Acanthamoeba castellaniiPromotion of In Vitro Survival and Transmission of Coxsackie B3 Viruses

Keratoplasty in Contact Lens Related Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Criteria for Selection of Surrogates Used To Study the Fate and Control of Pathogens in the Environment

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