Isolation and Identification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria from Drinking Water of Qazvin, Iran

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Medical Student, Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

2 General Practitioner, Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Background: Free-living amoebae are widely distributed protozoa. It is an opportunistic amphizoic protozoan and can accidentally infect humans. The identification of the amoebae could help to prevent and control the disease. This study was conducted to isolate and identify Acanthamoeba and Naegleria from the drinking water of Qazvin by using morphological and molecular methods.
Methods: In this study, 120 drinking water samples were taken from both hot and cold waters in different parts of Qazvin, Iran. The samples were cultured to isolate and identify positive specimens. PCR amplification was conducted to confirm the isolated species of the Acanthamoeba and Naegleria. Evaluation of pathogenicity was conducted by osmo-tolerance and thermo-tolerance assays. Statistical analysis was performed, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Findings: According to the morphological and molecular analysis, 27 (22.5%) of water isolates were positive for FLA (Free-living amoeba). Among the positive isolates, 16.7% and 5.84% of the specimens were identified as Acanthamoeba and Naegleria respectively. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between distributions of the amoeba in drinking water. The results of pathogenicity assays demonstrated that 55% of Acanthamoeba was a pathogen.
Conclusion: The present study recommended that more attention should be paid to the proper treatment of drinking water for public health.

Highlights

Pourya Fathollahzadeh: Google Scholar

Isareza Zare: Google Scholar

Mohammad Ali Hosseini: Google Scholar

Amir Javadi: Google Scholar

Peyman Heydarian: Google Scholar

Elham Hajialilo: Google Scholar

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 41, Issue 746
2nd Week, February
January and February 2024
Pages 1075-1081

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 September 2023
  • Accept Date: 16 March 2024

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