Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba spp. from thermal swimming pools and spas in Southern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Fuhrich Fabres ◽  
Sayonara Peixoto Rosa dos Santos ◽  
Lisianne Brittes Benitez ◽  
Marilise Brittes Rott
Keyword(s):  
Human Disease ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Soil And Water

AbstractFree-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed in soil and water. A few number of them are implicated in human disease:

The Role of Free-Living Amoebae Occurring in Heated Effluents as Causative Agents of Human Disease

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 135-147
Author(s):  
Maurice A Shapiro ◽  
Meryl H Karol ◽  
Georg Keleti ◽  
Jan L Sykora ◽  
A J Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Human Disease ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Cooling Towers ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Causative Agents

It has been shown that several pathogenic organisms may be frequently found in thermal effluents and cooling systems of coal fired power plants. One of them is pathogenic Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of an acute fatal human disease - primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). In our study two out of eight power plants investigated, harbored pathogenic N. fowleri in heated water or cooling towers. The occurrence of this organism was related to elevated temperatures. No significant correlation was found for other biological and chemical parameters. In addition, pathogenic Acanthamoeba which causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) was found in the tested heated effluents from coal fired power plants. Non-pathogenic strains of N. fowleri as well as other free-living and “harmless” amoebae were also very abundant in effluents from all investigated coal fired power plants and cooling towers. It has been reported that several species of nonpathogenic amoebae were isolated from humidifiers and air conditioning systems. Serological testing of symptomatic human subjects has indicated that these organisms may be one of the causative agents of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. An experimental study performed in our laboratory involved testing of guinea pigs sensitized by injection of axenic, non-pathogenic N. gruberi. Delayed onset skin reactivity was apparent in all animals injected with the antigen. Antibodies were detected in all sensitized animals. Bronchial provocation challenge employed to investigate pulmonary hypersensitivity was also used, and yielded positive results. All the sensitized animals displayed delayed onset respiratory responses. The results of this study indicate that not only pathogenic but also non-pathogenic free-living amoebae may be important causative agents of human disease. The occurrence of these organisms in cooling systems from coal fired power plants indicates that these facilities may be an important source of infection.

scholarly journals 354. The Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Acanthamoeba Disease in the United States, 1956–2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S246-S246
Author(s):  
Kevin O’Laughlin ◽  
Jennifer R Cope ◽  
Zachary A Marsh
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
The United States ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Free Living Ameba ◽  
Soil And Water

Abstract Background Acanthamoeba is a free-living ameba found worldwide in soil and water that can cause severe illness. Transmission is thought to be through the skin, eyes, or lungs; Acanthamoeba can cause disseminated infection (Acanthamoeba disease) in addition to the more widely recognized Acanthamoeba keratitis. Infections however are rare, and only case reports or small case series have been published. We review Acanthamoeba disease cases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) free-living ameba registry to characterize the disease in the United States. Methods CDC maintains a free-living ameba (FLA) registry of laboratory-confirmed Acanthamoeba cases (excluding keratitis) sourced from published case reports, CDC case report forms, and CDC laboratory results. SAS© version 9.4 software was used to calculate descriptive statistics and frequencies. Results We identified 163 cases of Acanthamoeba disease between 1956 and 2018. Of cases with documented outcome, 85% were fatal (105/124). Most (88%) cases were in patients who were immunocompromised (136/155): 66 people living with HIV (of whom 49 were classified as having AIDS); 33 recipients of organ transplantation; 30 people diagnosed with malignancy. The most common manifestation of disease was encephalitis (49%). Other clinical presentations included cutaneous lesions (20%) and rhinosinusitis (6%); 40 cases involved multiple organ systems. Median patient age was 42 years (range 0–83 years). Males accounted for 71% (114/160) of cases. California (29) and Texas (14) had the most case reports; 30 other states reported cases. The source of exposure was unknown in most cases (75%); soil and water were documented in 14 and 17 cases, respectively. Conclusion Acanthamoeba disease in the United States is primarily characterized by encephalitis and cutaneous lesions that affect predominately immunocompromised individuals. Acanthamoeba as a cause of encephalitis in immunocompromised patients should be considered by clinicians, which may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba genotypes and Naegleria spp. from the water samples of public swimming pools in Qazvin, Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Paknejad ◽  
Elham Hajialilo ◽  
Mehrzad Saraei ◽  
Amir Javadi
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
Reaction Amplification ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Naegleria Lovaniensis ◽  
Isolated Species

Abstract Free-living amoeba (FLA), including Acanthamoeba and Naegleria are facultative parasites in humans. The amoeba have widespread distribution in various water sources. The aim of this study was isolation and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria isolated from swimming pools and also hot and cold tub waters in Qazvin province. The samples (166 water samples) were cultured to isolate and identify positive specimens. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted to confirm the isolated species and genotypes of amoeba. According to morphological characterizations, 18.6% of specimens were identified as FLA, which in 71% were Acanthamoeba by PCR method. Molecular analysis revealed that 36.3%, 18.1% and 4.5% of Acanthamoeba specimens were identified as T3, T4 and T11 Acanthamoeba genotypes, respectively. Protacanthamoeba bohemica (27.2%) and Acanthamoeba sp. (4.5%) were found among the specimens. The results of osmo-tolerance and thermo-tolerance assays demonstrated that 50% of T3 and 25% of T4 genotypes of Acanthamoeba were highly pathogenic parasites. The molecular approach showed the presence of Naegleria lovaniensis (9%) in hot tub water of swimming pools. This study demonstrated that the swimming pools and hot tub water in Qazvin province were contaminated with Acanthamoeba and Naegleria species.

First report of Gieysztoria falx Brusa, Damborenea & Noreña, 2003 (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) in southern Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4706 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-496
Author(s):  
JHOE REYES ◽  
DANIELA BINOW ◽  
ROGÉRIO T. VIANNA ◽  
SAMANTHA E. MARTINS
Keyword(s):  
Hot Spots ◽  
First Record ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Similar Shape ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Living Species ◽  
South Brazil ◽  
Shape And Size

Within Dalyelliidae Graff, 1905, Gieysztoria Ruebush & Hayes, 1939 is the most widely distributed and speciose genus, members of which live in marine, brackish, or freshwater habitats (Van Steenkiste et al., 2012). Gieysztoria is composed by ~97 free-living species (Tyler et al. 2016), and species identification is mainly made on the male copulatory system, which has an armed penis (stylet) with different configurations of spines (Noreña et al., 2016). The stylet configuration of Gieysztoria species is traditionally split into two groups: Aequales (spines of similar shape and size) and Inaequales (spines of different shape and size) (Luther, 1955). In the neotropics, specimens of Gieysztoria belong to both the Aequales and Inaequales group   and are well represented (Damborenea et al., 2005; Noreña et al., 2003). According to Braccini et al. (2016, 2017), there are 16 species of Gieysztoria in Brazil, mainly distributed in the southern region. South Brazil harbours a mosaic of wetlands that are considered hot spots of biodiversity, including the Taim Ecological Station (ESEC Taim) protected area that was designated as a Ramsar site (Ramsar, 2017). In the present study, Gieysztoria falx Brusa, Damborenea & Noreña, 2003 is registered in the ESEC Taim, located in Rio Grande do Sul. It represents the first record of G. falx in Brazil. Illustrations and comments on stylet configuration are given.

scholarly journals Novel Gyrovirus genomes recovered from free-living pigeons in Southern Brazil

Virology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 548 ◽  
pp. 132-135
Author(s):  
M.R. Loiko ◽  
A.P.M. Varela ◽  
C. Tochetto ◽  
B.C. Lopes ◽  
C.M. Scheffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Free Living

scholarly journals Occurrence and ecological notes on Rocinela signata (Isopoda, Flabellifera) off Brazil

1977 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Plínio Soares Moreira
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Horizontal Distribution ◽  
Maximum Depth ◽  
Fish Parasite ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Vertical And Horizontal Distribution

This paper discuss the vertical and horizontal distribution of the marine isopod Rocinela signata Schiödte & Meinert, 1879, along Brazil. Published records and new data gathered in recent years were used. The species, widely distributed along Brazil, has its most southern limit of occurrence considerably extended to off State of Santa Catarina (27º08'S, 48º11'W) . It is typically a shelf species. So far it was recorded off Brazil at a maximum depth of 73 m, while particularly in southern Brazil at 53 m. The species has been collected free living on the bottom or as a fish parasite, and a few times has been reported attacking and sucking swimmers. Available data suggest any host specificity. R. signata seems a facultative and not an obligate fish parasite.

scholarly journals Isolation and identification of feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus in Southern Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 560-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréia Henzel ◽  
Mário Celso Sperotto Brum ◽  
Cláudia Lautert ◽  
Mathias Martins ◽  
Luciane Teresinha Lovato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feline Calicivirus ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Feline Herpesvirus
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