Potentially Pathogenic Acanthamoeba Isolated from a Hospital in Brazil

Carlesso, Ana Maris; Artuso, Georgia Lazzari; Caumo, Karin Silva; Rott, Marilise Brittes

doi:10.1007/s00284-009-9523-7

Cited by 44 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…On the other hand, the prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. in hospital dust samples from Brazil was reported to be 23% (19), which is lower than the present study. Variations in geographic conditions, climate, and health facilities affect the incidence of Acanthamoeba.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 92%

Molecular Identification and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba Isolated from Environmental Sources in Kashan, Central Iran

Golestani

Rasti

Hooshyar

et al. 2018

Jundishapur J Microbiol

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Background: Acanthamoeba is one of the most common opportunistic free-living amoebae, with ubiquitous presence in various environmental sources. Pathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to identify Acanthamoeba genotypes in soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water samples from Kashan, Central Iran. Methods: In this cross sectional study, a total of 122 samples from soil (n, 32), hospital dust (n, 40), and stagnant water (n, 50) were collected and examined for the presence of free-living amoebae and Acanthamoeba species. All the samples were cultured onto non-nutrient agar plates for detection of free-living amoebae. Acanthamoeba species was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, using specific primers. A total of 29 Acanthamoeba isolates were sequenced, and different genotypes were detected via sequence analysis. Results:The results showed that 82.8% (101/122) of samples were positive for free-living amoebae. The PCR assay revealed that 62.5%, 52.5%, and 50% of soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water samples were positive for Acanthamoeba species, respectively. Moreover, T4, T5, T2, T7, and T11 genotypes were identified. The most common genotype was T4 (76%), isolated from stagnant water. Conclusions: Acanthamoeba is a prevalent species in the soil, hospital dust, and stagnant water of Kashan. As this protozoon can cause severe infections, health education and improvement of sanitation services are recommended for prevention of infection.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 92%

Molecular Identification and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba Isolated from Environmental Sources in Kashan, Central Iran

Golestani

Rasti

Hooshyar

et al. 2018

Jundishapur J Microbiol

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“…It was reported that Acanthamoeba spp. are more resistant to harsh conditions and can survive for a long time [34,35] . However, the variability of detection rates in several reports is due to variable seasonal temperature which affects the intensity and variety of Acanthamoeba spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection rates of waterborne protozoa in water sources from Fayoum Governorate

Sakran

El-Shahawy

Shalaby

et al. 2017

Parasitologists United Journal

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Background: Waterborne protozoal infections are common health problems in many parts of the world especially in developing countries. Water is a major vehicle for transmission of protozoa such as G. lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp. as well as pathogenic and opportunistic free living amoeba (FLA). Objective: This study aims to detect the presence of protozoal agents in tap water and storage water tanks at Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. Material and Methods: A total of ninety five water samples were collected from different water sources, taps (65) and tanks (30), from 6 Fayoum districts. The samples were processed to detect the presence of G. lamblia cysts by Lugol's iodine stain, Cryptosporidium oocysts by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and FLA by cultivation. After cultivation, Acanthamoeba spp. were identified according to their morphological features and flagellation test was performed to detect amoeboflagellates. Results: All water samples collected from tanks (100%) were contaminated by protozoa of medical importance, while only 6 (9.2%) of the tap water samples were pathogen free. The majority of water samples were contaminated with mixed protozoal infections. The overall detection rates of contaminants in water sources were 86.3%, 52.6%, 13.7% by FLA, Cryptosporidium spp. and G. lamblia, respectively. Conclusions: The recorded detection rates of waterborne protozoa present a hazard to the community resulting in silent morbidities and mortalities. It is strongly recommended to adopt proper water safety measures.

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“…Half of the Acanthamoeba isolates recovered from rivers, canals, and lakes in Arizona were A. lenticulata (41). A. lenticulata has also been isolated from biofilm samples collected from hospitals and swimming pools in Brazil (42,43) as well as soils and tap water samples in Florida (44). However, to our knowledge, the present study is the first examination of mycobacterial growth in A. lenticulata, with all other previous studies using species that belong to genotype T4: A. castellanii strains ATCC 30010 and ATCC 30234 or A. polyphaga LincAp-1 (10).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cooccurrence of Free-Living Amoebae and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Hospital Water Networks, and Preferential Growth of Mycobacterium avium in Acanthamoeba lenticulata

Ovrutsky

Chan

Kartalija

et al. 2013

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The incidence of lung and other diseases due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing. NTM sources include potable water, especially in households where NTM populate pipes, taps, and showerheads. NTM share habitats with free-living amoebae (FLA) and can grow in FLA as parasites or as endosymbionts. FLA containing NTM may form cysts that protect mycobacteria from disinfectants and antibiotics. We first assessed the presence of FLA and NTM in water and biofilm samples collected from a hospital, confirming the high prevalence of NTM and FLA in potable water systems, particularly in biofilms. Acanthamoeba spp. (genotype T4) were mainly recovered (8/17), followed by Hartmannella vermiformis (7/17) as well as one isolate closely related to the genus Flamella and one isolate only distantly related to previously described species. Concerning mycobacteria, Mycobacterium gordonae was the most frequently found isolate (9/17), followed by Mycobacterium peregrinum (4/17), Mycobacterium chelonae (2/17), Mycobacterium mucogenicum (1/17), and Mycobacterium avium (1/17). The propensity of Mycobacterium avium hospital isolate H87 and M. avium collection strain 104 to survive and replicate within various FLA was also evaluated, demonstrating survival of both strains in all amoebal species tested but high replication rates only in Acanthamoeba lenticulata. As A. lenticulata was frequently recovered from environmental samples, including drinking water samples, these results could have important consequences for the ecology of M. avium in drinking water networks and the epidemiology of disease due to this species.

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Potentially Pathogenic Acanthamoeba Isolated from a Hospital in Brazil

Cited by 44 publications

References 24 publications

Molecular Identification and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba Isolated from Environmental Sources in Kashan, Central Iran

Molecular Identification and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba Isolated from Environmental Sources in Kashan, Central Iran

Detection rates of waterborne protozoa in water sources from Fayoum Governorate

Cooccurrence of Free-Living Amoebae and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Hospital Water Networks, and Preferential Growth of Mycobacterium avium in Acanthamoeba lenticulata

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