scholarly journals Occurrence of free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Naegleria) in water samples in Peninsular Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shobana Gabriel ◽  
Naveed Ahmed Khan ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Centrifugation Method ◽  
Instagene Matrix

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in Peninsular Malaysia and to compare different methodologies to detect them from water samples. Water samples were collected from tap water, recreational places, water dispensers, filtered water, etc. and tested for FLA using both cultivation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) via plating assays and centrifugation methods. Amoebae DNA was extracted using Instagene matrix and PCR was performed using genus-specific primers. Of 250 samples, 142 (56.8%) samples were positive for presence of amoebae, while 108 (43.2%) were negative. Recreational water showed higher prevalence of amoebae than tap water. PCR for the plating assays revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba in 91 (64%) samples and Naegleria in 99 (70%) of samples analysed. All samples tested were negative for B. mandrillaris. In contrast, the centrifugation method was less effective in detecting amoebae as only one sample revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba and 52 (29%) samples were positive for Naegleria. PCR assays were specific and sensitive, detecting as few as 10 cells. These findings show the vast distribution and presence of FLA in all 11 states of Peninsular Malaysia. Further studies could determine the possible presence of pathogenic species and strains of free-living amoebae in public water supplies in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. Isolated from the Caspian Sea in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Mahmoudi M.R. ◽  
Karanis P.
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Caspian Sea ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Seawater Samples

Acanthamoeba spp. are widely distributed in the environment and have been reported to be causative agents of lethal encephalitis and keratitis. In this study, thirty water samples from the Caspian Sea were collected during 2018. Water samples were filtrated and the filtrate used for culture. The positive samples were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequencing. Free-living amoebae were identified in 50% (15/30) of the seawater samples. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of T2 and T4 genotypes. The results of the present study confirmed the presence of potentially pathogenic strains in seawater in this area. This awareness should be raised among environmental and public health professionals.

scholarly journals Detection and quantification of human adenovirus genomes in Acanthamoeba isolated from swimming pools

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
RODRIGO STAGGEMEIER ◽  
THALITA ARANTES ◽  
KARIN S. CAUMO ◽  
MARILISE B. ROTT ◽  
FERNANDO R. SPILKI
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Human Adenovirus ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Ocular Diseases ◽  
Porto Alegre ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The City

ABSTRACT Acanthamoeba is the most common free-living environmental amoeba, it may serve as an important vehicle for various microorganisms living in the same environment, such as viruses, being pathogenic to humans. This study aimed to detect and quantify human adenoviruses (HAdV) in Acanthamoebas isolated from water samples collected from swimming pools in the city of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba were isolated from water samples, and isolates (n=16) were used to investigate the occurrence of HAdVs. HAdV detection was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). HAdVs were detected in 62.5% (10/16) of Acanthamoeba isolates, ranging from 3.24x103 to 5.14x105 DNA copies per milliliter of isolate. HAdV viral loads found in this study are not negligible, especially because HAdV infections are associated with several human diseases, including gastroenteritis, respiratory distress, and ocular diseases. These findings reinforce the concept that Acanthamoeba may act as a reservoir and promote HAdV transmission through water.

scholarly journals High occurrence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the water samples of public swimming pools from Kerman Province, Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raheleh Eftekhari-Kenzerki ◽  
Kavous Solhjoo ◽  
Zahra Babaei ◽  
Hassan Rezanezhad ◽  
Ahmad Abolghazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Agar Medium ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Free Living ◽  
High Occurrence ◽  
Nutrient Agar Medium ◽  
Free Living Amoeba ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living amoeba that can cause major infections in humans, including keratitis and granulomatous encephalitis. Thus, water resources play an important role in transmitting Acanthamoeba spp. infection to humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from three cities of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Eighty water samples of 20 public indoor swimming pools were taken from Kerman, Jiroft, and Kahnauj cities. Water temperature (°C), pH, and free chlorine concentration (ppm) were measured. Filtration and cultivation were applied on non-nutrient agar medium. The polymerase chain reaction was applied by using the genus-specific primers (JDP1 and JDP2) on positive samples; these primers can amplify the 423–551 bp fragment. Eighteen of the 20 swimming pools (including 32/80; 40% samples) were contaminated with Acanthamoeba spp. All swimming pools of Jiroft and Kahnauj and 88.2% of swimming pools in Kerman were contaminated. As such, all 32 Acanthamoeba isolates were amplified using the JDP primer pairs. Two genotypes, T3 and T4, were also identified. The present research is the first to report Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from Kerman Province. Due to high occurrence of this protozoan, it is recommended to use warning signs around swimming pools to create awareness of this infection.

scholarly journals First detection of human sapoviruses in river water in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 2776-2783 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Y. Murray ◽  
J. Mans ◽  
M. B. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
River System ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Taqman Probes ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Elution Method ◽  
Three Rivers

Over a 2-year period, from January 2009 to December 2010, water samples were collected from three rivers (Klip, Rietspruit and Suikerbosrand) in the Vaal River System, South Africa. Enteric viruses were recovered by a glass wool adsorption–elution method and concentrated using polyethylene glycol/sodium chloride precipitation. Sapoviruses (SaVs) were detected using published sapovirus (SaV)-specific primers and Taqman probes in a two-step real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Based on sequence analysis of the 5′-end of the capsid gene, SaVs were genotyped. In 2009, SaVs were detected in 39% (15/38) of samples from the Klip river, 83% (5/6) from the Rietspruit and 14% (1/7) of samples from the Suikerbosrand river. In 2010, SaVs were detected in 54% (14/26) of Klip river samples, 92% (11/12) from the Rietspruit and 20% (2/10) of samples from the Suikerbosrand river. SaV strains identified in the water samples were characterised into several GI and GII genotypes. The presence of SaVs in these rivers indicates human faecal contamination which may pose a potential health risk to persons exposed to these water sources during domestic or recreational activities.

scholarly journals Differences of Legionella Pneumophila Serogroups Distribution in Well Water, Tap Water, Ice Cubes, Hospital and Hotel Water in East Java

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardus Bimo Aksono ◽  
Kadek Rachmawati ◽  
Retno Bijanti
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Phylogenetic Tree ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Water Ice ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background Legionella pneumophila is one of the causes of legionellosis. Water environments serve as the natural habitat and the main sources of Legionella pneumophila. Objectives The aims of this study was to understand the differences of Legionella pneumophila serogroups distribution in well water, tap water, ice cubes, hospital and hotel water in East Java-Indonesia. Methods a total of 60 water samples in east java-Indonesia; from well water (n=25), tap water (n=5), ice cubes (n=5), water from the hospital (n=16), and hotel water (n=9) were detected using polymerase chain reaction with mip gene spesific primers and then it was analyzed by phylogenetic tree. Results For the 60 water samples collected in East Java, 12% of the samples (7/60) were positively contaminated by L. pneumophila. In details, there was 8% of the well water samples (2/25), 2% of the tap water samples (1/5), 2% of the ice cubes samples (1/5), 0% of the hospital water samples (0/16) and 33.33% of the hotel water samples (3/9). The phylogenetic tree showed that Legionella pneumophila contaminating well water isolate 1 from Surabaya and tap water isolate from Sidoarjo was closer to L.pneumophila serogroup 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, isolates from Brazil, China, Spain and Australia. L.pneumophila contaminating the ice cubes from Sidoarjo was closer to serogroup 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, while the bacteria contaminating well water isolate 2 from Sidoarjo as well as water in hotel of Surabaya (hotel water isolate 1, 2 and 3) classified into their own group. Conclusion There is a difference in the distribution of L. pneumophila serogroups between well water, tap water, ice cubes, and hotels.

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