1
|
Marzouk AM, Mashaly MI, Reda ES, El-Naggar MM. The record of Vannella species (Vannellidae, Discosea, Amoebozoa) from freshwater sources in Dakahlyia Governorate, Egypt. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:113. [PMID: 38376635 PMCID: PMC10879259 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03837-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The River Nile is the main source of fresh water in Egypt, where its water is used for irrigation, drinking, fisheries, industrial uses, and recreation. For sustainable utilization of the River Nile and its branches in the Nile Delta region, it is necessary to monitor regular investigation for the biodiversity of protozoan fauna in the Damietta branch and other freshwater canals in Dakahlyia Governorate. Water samples were collected monthly from different water sources, for 1 year, and examined for protozoans, using phase-contrast microscopy and recorded video films, The genus Vannella Bovee 1965 is recorded for the first time in four freshwater localities: Demietta branch of the River Nile, Mansouria Canal, Bouhia Canal, and Bahr El-Saghir Canal. A detailed morphological description with a brief report of their locomotion has been given for four morphologically different Vannella species. The locomotive form of Vannella sp.1 has a long pointed posterior tail and 2 lateral posterior processes. Such a tail was absent in other Vannella species. Vannella sp.2 is unique among other recorded species, where its locomotive form possesses a long posterior rounded tail region and a frontal hyaloplasm provided with a wavy surface that forms several lobes and finger-like processes during locomotion. In addition, the hyaloplasm produces several transverse waves that vary in thickness and density. The floating form of Vannella sp.2 is of a radial type and has comparatively long hyaline pointed and spiral pseudopodia. The process of transformation of locomotive form to floating form in Vannella sp.2 has been followed up using several recorded video films. The locomotive form of Vannella sp.3 is bear-shaped, while that of Vannella sp.4 has variable shapes from semicircular to rectangular and sometimes fan-shaped. During movement in vivo, locomotive cells of all Vannella species, except Vannella sp.1, move in nearly a straight line, but there were variations in their rate of locomotion. Vannella sp.4 recorded the highest rate (6.8 µm/s), followed by Vannella sp.2 (4.5 µm/s), Vannella sp.3 (2.4 µm/s), and finally Vannella sp.1 (1.0 µm/s). Molecular studies and transmission electron microscope examinations are still needed to confirm the precise identity of each Vannella species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa M Marzouk
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed I Mashaly
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Enayat S Reda
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M El-Naggar
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramírez-Flores E, Bonilla-Lemus P, Carrasco-Yépez MM, Ramírez-Flores MA, Barrón-Graciano KA, Rojas-Hernández S, Reyes-Batlle M, Lorenzo-Morales J. Saline-Tolerant Pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp. Isolated from a Geothermal Power Plant. Pathogens 2023; 12:1363. [PMID: 38003827 PMCID: PMC10674709 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies have been conducted in the cooling systems of power plants; they have focused on Naegleria fowleri, leaving a gap in the knowledge of other pathogenic free-living amoebae in this environment. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of saline-tolerant pathogenic Acanthamoeba in a geothermal power plant. The identification of isolated amoebae at genus level was carried out, observing their morphological characteristics; the determination of genotype and species of Acanthamoeba was performed via molecular biology (PCR). Water temperature ranged from 18 to 43 °C and conductivity from 4.0 × 104 to 8.7 × 104 μS/cm; this last value was greater than the seawater value. Only five amoeba genera were found. Acanthamoeba was in all the sampling sites, showing high saline tolerance. The high temperature, but mainly high conductivity, were the environmental conditions that determined the presence of pathogenic free-living amoebae in the hot water. All the strains of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni killed the mice, having a mortality of 40 to 100%. Acanthamoeba genotypes T10 and T5 were identified, T10 is rarely isolated from the environment, while T5 is more frequent. This is the first time that genotypes T5 and T10 have been reported in the environment in Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ramírez-Flores
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, CyMA, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Ixtacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico; (P.B.-L.); (M.M.C.-Y.); (M.A.R.-F.)
| | - Patricia Bonilla-Lemus
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, CyMA, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Ixtacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico; (P.B.-L.); (M.M.C.-Y.); (M.A.R.-F.)
| | - María M. Carrasco-Yépez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, CyMA, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Ixtacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico; (P.B.-L.); (M.M.C.-Y.); (M.A.R.-F.)
| | - Miguel A. Ramírez-Flores
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, CyMA, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Ixtacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico; (P.B.-L.); (M.M.C.-Y.); (M.A.R.-F.)
| | - Karla A. Barrón-Graciano
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, CyMA, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Ixtacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico; (P.B.-L.); (M.M.C.-Y.); (M.A.R.-F.)
| | - Saúl Rojas-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología Molecular y Celular, Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Salvador Díaz Mirón S/N, Casco de Santo Tomás, Miguel Hidalgo 11340, Mexico;
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de la Laguna (ULL), Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de la Laguna (ULL), Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38206 Tenerife, Spain; (M.R.-B.); (J.L.-M.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sousa-Ramos D, Reyes-Batlle M, Bellini NK, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Martín-Real C, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Pathogenic free-living amoebae from water sources in Cape Verde. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2399-2404. [PMID: 35660958 PMCID: PMC9279231 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07563-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa which have been reported in different countries worldwide from diverse sources (water, soil, dust, air), contributing to the environmental microbiological contamination. Most of the FLA species present a life cycle with two different phases: an active vegetative and physiologically form named trophozoite, and an extremely resistant phase called cyst. Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Sapinia pedata, Vahlkampfia spp., Paravahlkampfia spp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis have been reported not only as causal agents of several opportunistic diseases including fatal encephalitis or epithelial disorders, but also as capable to favour the intracellular survival of common pathogenic bacteria, which could avoid the typical water disinfection systems, non-effective against FLAs cysts. Even though Santiago Island possesses high levels of humidity compared to the rest of the archipelago of Cape Verde, the water resources are scarce. Therefore, it is important to carry out proper microbiological quality controls, which currently do not contemplate the FLA presence in most of the countries. In the present work, we have reported the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. (69.2%); Vannella spp. (15.4%); Vermamoeba vermiformis (7.7%) and the recently discovered Stenamoeba dejonckheerei (7.7%) in different water sources of Santiago Island.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Djeniffer Sousa-Ramos
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Karla Bellini
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos, SP, 13560-590, Brazil
| | - Rubén L Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Martín-Real
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain.
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Inst. de Salud Carlos III, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales Y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Departamento de Obstetricia Y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva Y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal Y Forense Y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Madrid, Spain.
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Inst. de Salud Carlos III, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Diagnostic Considerations for Non-Acanthamoeba Amoebic Keratitis and Clinical Outcomes. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020219. [PMID: 35215164 PMCID: PMC8874664 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cases of amoebic keratitis involving species other than Acanthamoeba are hypothesised to be underdiagnosed and poorly understood. Amoebic keratitis is debilitating and associated with chronic visual impairment. Understanding associated symptoms of non-Acanthamoeba amoebic keratitis could facilitate new diagnostic procedures and enable prompt treatment, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Thus, a review of the literature was undertaken surrounding non-Acanthamoeba amoebic keratitis. Cases were geographically widespread and mostly confined to contact lens wearers ≤ 30 years old exposed to contaminated water sources and/or demonstrating poor lens hygiene. Vermamoeba vermiformis (previously Hartmanella vermiformis) was the most common causative agent, and a moderate number of mixed keratitis cases were also reported. A crucial disease indicator was early onset stromal deterioration/ulcerations, reported in 10 of the studies, usually only occurring in advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis. Mixed infections were the most difficult to treat, often requiring keratoplasty after unsuccessful combination treatment regimens. New diagnostic measures for non-Acanthamoeba amoebic keratitis should consider early onset stromal disease as a key disease indicator. Deep corneal scrapes are also necessary for accurate amoebic identification. Moreover, a combination approach to diagnosis is advised and should involve culture, microscopy and PCR techniques. In vitro drug sensitivity tests should also be conducted to help develop patient-specific treatment regimes.
Collapse
|
5
|
New data on the fine structure of Deuteramoeba mycophaga CCAP 1586/1 (Amoebozoa, Tubulinea). Eur J Protistol 2021; 82:125853. [PMID: 34953302 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2021.125853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The genus Deuteramoeba is one of the six amoebae genera belonging to the best-known amoeba family - Amoebidae (Amoebozoa, Tubulinea), containing such a popular species as Amoeba proteus. However, members of other genera of the family Amoebidae are much less known, and most of the studies of their morphology and ultrastructure date back to the 1970s and 1980s. Since these "classical" species are believed to be "well studied", their morphology and fine structure rarely become a subject of re-investigation. The absence of modern morphological data may be critical when molecular data of the type strain are not available, and the only way to identify a species is by morphological comparison. For this paper, we performed an ultrastructural study of the strain CCAP 1586/1 - the type strain of the species Deuteramoeba mycophaga. Our study revealed new details of the nuclear structure, including a peripheral layer of filaments and a heterogeneous nucleolus, and provided new data on the cytoplasmic inclusions of this species. We performed a whole-genome amplification of the DNA from a single amoeba cell followed by NGS sequencing and searched for genetic evidence for the presence of a putative nuclear parasite detected in 2017, but found no evidence for the presence of Opisthosporidia.
Collapse
|
6
|
Sousa-Ramos D, Reyes-Batlle M, Bellini NK, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Free-Living Amoebae in Soil Samples from Santiago Island, Cape Verde. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071460. [PMID: 34361894 PMCID: PMC8306126 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed protozoa, which contain some groups considered as pathogenic microorganisms. These members are able to produce several opportunistic diseases including epithelial disorders, such as keratitis and fatal encephalitis. Even though they have been reported in numerous sources, such as soils, dust and water, there is no legislation related to the presence of these protozoa in soil-related environments worldwide. Therefore, there are no established prevention or disinfection protocols to advise the population regarding FLA infections or eliminate these microorganisms from human-related environments to date. Acanthamoeba spp. are the most common FLA isolated in soil samples, which is also the most common genera found in clinical cases. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of potentially pathogenic FLA in human-related soil samples of Santiago Island, Cabo Verde. A total of 26 soil samples were seeded in non-nutrient agar plates (2%), incubated at 26 °C, and monitored daily to evaluate the presence of FLA. DNA was extracted from those plates on which there was suspected FLA growth, and PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene was carried out. A total of 17 from the 26 analysed samples were positive for FLA, where Acanthamoeba is the most abundant isolated genus (14/17; 82.4%), with the T4 genotype being the most common (13/14; 92.9%), followed by the T5 genotype, A. lenticulata (1/14; 7.1%). Moreover, Vermamoeba vermiformis, Stenamoeba dejonckheerei and Vannella pentlandi were isolated in three other samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of FLA presence in Cape Verde and the first report of V. vermiformis in beach sand worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Djeniffer Sousa-Ramos
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.R.-B.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Natália K. Bellini
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, São Carlos 13560-590, SP, Brazil
| | - Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.R.-B.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (D.S.-R.); (N.K.B.); (R.L.R.-E.)
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.R.-B.); (J.E.P.); (J.L.-M.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Park E, Poulin R. Revisiting the phylogeny of microsporidia. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:855-864. [PMID: 33891934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Canonical microsporidians are a group of obligate intracellular parasites of a wide range of hosts comprising ~1,300 species of >220 genera. Microsporidians are related to fungi, and many characterised and uncharacterized groups closely related to them have been discovered recently, filling the knowledge gaps between them. These groups assigned to the superphylum Opisthosporidia have provided several important insights into the evolution of diverse intracellular parasitic lineages within the tree of eukaryotes. The most studied among opisthosporidians, canonical microsporidians, were known to science more than 160 years ago, however, the classification of canonical Microsporidia has been challenging due to common morphological homoplasy, and accelerated evolutionary rates. Instead of morphological characters, ssrRNA sequences have been used as the primary data for the classification of canonical microsporidians. Previous studies have produced a useful backbone of the microsporidian phylogeny, but provided only some nodal support, causing some confusion. Here, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees of canonical microsporidians using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood inferences. We included rRNA sequences of 126 described/named genera, by far the broadest taxon coverage to date. Overall, our trees show similar topology and recovered four of the five main clades demonstrated in previous studies (Clades 1, 3, 4 and 5). Family level clades were well resolved within each major clade, but many were discordant with the recently revised classification. Therefore, revision and some reshuffling, especially within and between Clades 1 and 3 are required. We also reconstructed phylogenetic trees of Opisthosporidia to better integrate the evolutionary history of canonical microsporidians in a broader context. We discuss several traits shared only by canonical microsporidians that may have contributed to their striking ecological success in diverse metazoans. More targeted studies on the neglected host groups will be of value for a better understanding of the evolutionary history of these interesting intracellular parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Park
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.
| | - Robert Poulin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kamyshatskaya O, Bondarenko N, Nassonova E, Smirnov A. Polychaos centronucleolus n. sp. - a new terrestrial species of the genus Polychaos (Amoebozoa, Tubulinea) with nontypical nuclear structure. Eur J Protistol 2020; 77:125759. [PMID: 33348278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A new species of the "proteus-type" naked amoebae (large cells with discrete tubular pseudopodia) was isolated from tree bark sample of a birch tree in the surrounding of Kislovodsk town, Russia and named Polychaos centronucleolus n. sp. (Amoebozoa, Tubulinea). Amoebae of this species have a filamentous cell coat and a nucleus with a central compact nucleolus. This type of nucleolar organization has not been previously known for the genus Polychaos. A sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of this strain was obtained using whole genome amplification of DNA from the single amoeba cell, followed by NGS sequencing. The analysis of molecular data robustly groups this species with Polychaos annulatum within the family Hartmannellidae. Our results, together with the results of our previous studies, show that the taxonomic assignment of "proteus-type" amoebae species is becoming increasingly complex, and the taxonomic characters that can be used to classify these organisms are becoming more shadowed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Kamyshatskaya
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Cytology of Unicellular Organisms, Institute of Cytology RAS, Tikhoretsky ave. 4, St. Petersburg 194064, Russia.
| | - Natalya Bondarenko
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena Nassonova
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Cytology of Unicellular Organisms, Institute of Cytology RAS, Tikhoretsky ave. 4, St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Alexey Smirnov
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cartography of Free-Living Amoebae in Soil in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) Using DNA Metabarcoding. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060440. [PMID: 32512696 PMCID: PMC7350318 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protists. Pathogenic FLA such as N. fowleri can be found in hot springs in Guadeloupe, soil being the origin of this contamination. Herein, we analyzed the diversity and distribution of FLA in soil using a targeted metataxonomic analysis. Soil samples (n = 107) were collected from 40 sites. DNA was extracted directly from soil samples or from FLA cultivated at different temperatures (30, 37 and 44 °C). Metabarcoding studies were then conducted through FLA 18SrDNA amplicons sequencing; amplicon sequence variants (ASV) were extracted from each sample and taxonomy assigned against SILVA database using QIIME2 and SHAMAN pipelines. Vermamoeba were detected in DNA extracted directly from the soil, but to detect other FLA an amoebal enrichment step was necessary. V. vermiformis was by far the most represented species of FLA, being detected throughout the islands. Although Naegleria were mainly found in Basse-Terre region, N. fowleri was also detected in Grand Terre and Les Saintes Islands. Acanthamoeba were mainly found in areas where temperature is approx. 30 °C. Vannella and Vahlkampfia were randomly found in Guadeloupe islands. FLA detected in Guadeloupe include both pathogenic genera and genera that can putatively harbor microbial pathogens, therefore posing a potential threat to human health.
Collapse
|
10
|
Corsaro D, Walochnik J, Venditti D, Hauröder B, Michel R. Solving an old enigma: Morellospora saccamoebae gen. nov., sp. nov. (Rozellomycota), a Sphaerita-like parasite of free-living amoebae. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:925-934. [PMID: 32048025 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06623-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Rozellomycota form a lineage basal or sister to the Fungi, ancestor of Microsporidia. Their biodiversity is very rich but remains poorly characterized. The few known species are all parasites, whether of water molds and algae (Rozella), crustaceans (Mitosporidium), or as endonuclear parasites of amoebae (Nucleophaga, Paramicrosporidium). Since the nineteenth century, intracytoplasmic parasites of various protozoa have been described as species of the same genus Sphaerita. However, it was later thought possible to separate these parasites into at least two distinct groups, those forming flagellated zoospores, prevalent in Euglena and other flagellates, and those forming immobile spores, found mainly in free-living and endozoic amoebae. Herein, we report the recovery of a strain of the free-living amoeba species Saccamoeba lacustris, naturally infected by an intracytoplasmic parasite, which under light microscope has a morphology consistent with that of Sphaerita. Biomolecular analyses were thus performed. Our results show that the intracytoplasmic parasite of Saccamoeba belongs to the same subgroup of Mitosporidium and that it forms a new genus within Rozellomycota, Morellospora, that corresponds to the former spore-forming Sphaerita-like parasites of amoebae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Corsaro
- CHLAREAS, 12 rue du Maconnais, F-54500, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1095, Vienna, Austria
| | - Danielle Venditti
- CHLAREAS, 12 rue du Maconnais, F-54500, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Bärbel Hauröder
- Department of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Facility, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, Andernacher Strasse 100, 56070, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Rolf Michel
- Department of Pathology, Electron Microscopy Facility, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, Andernacher Strasse 100, 56070, Koblenz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Stentiford GD, Bass D, Williams BAP. Ultimate opportunists-The emergent Enterocytozoon group Microsporidia. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007668. [PMID: 31048922 PMCID: PMC6497299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grant D. Stentiford
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom
- Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - David Bass
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom
- Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bryony A. P. Williams
- Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tannic acid-modified silver nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic agent against Acanthamoeba. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3519-3525. [PMID: 30112674 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6049-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae belonging to Acanthamoeba genus are widely distributed protozoans which are able to cause infection in humans and other animals such as keratitis and encephalitis. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a vision-threatening corneal infection with currently no available fully effective treatment. Moreover, the available therapeutic options are insufficient and are very toxic to the eye. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of more effective anti-amoebic agents. Nanotechnology approaches have been recently reported to be useful for the elucidation antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoal activities and thus, they could be a good approach for the development of anti-Acanthamoeba agents. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore the activity and cytotoxicity of tannic acid-modified silver nanoparticles, pure silver nanoparticles and pure gold nanoparticles against clinical strains of Acanthamoeba spp. The obtained results showed a significant anti-amoebic effect of the tannic acid-modified silver nanoparticles which also presented low cytotoxicity. Moreover, tannic acid-modified silver nanoparticles were well absorbed by the trophozoites and did not induce encystation. On the other hand, pure silver nanoparticles were only slightly active against the trophozoite stage and pure gold nanoparticles did not show any activity. In conclusion and based on the observed results, silver nanoparticle conjugation with tannic acid may be considered as potential agent against Acanthamoeba spp.
Collapse
|
13
|
Maciver SK, De Obeso Fernandez Del Valle A, Koutsogiannis Z. Vannella pentlandii n. sp., (Amoebozoa, Discosea, Vannellida) a small, cyst-forming soil amoeba. Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:109-116. [PMID: 28778744 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe a new species of cyst-producing soil amoeba Vannella pentlandii from course pasture in the Pentland Hills, Scotland. Analysis of the 18S rDNA gene reveals that it belongs to the sub-group within the genus, presently composed of V. placida, V. epipetala and V. fimicola (the PEF group). This group share features such as longitudinal folds/ridges on the lamella (the anterior hyaline region of the trophozoite), stubby floating forms and cyst production. While each PEF species contain cyst producing strains, not all strains within these species do so. V. fimicola produces cysts on stalks leading to its former classification as a slime mould, however no such stalks were evident in the V. pentlandii, instead groups of cysts become piled on top of each other forming clumps. The encysting amoebae crawl toward each other, pushing some off the surface to form these mounds. The V. pentlandii trophozoites are of typical size for the genus but the cysts at 6.9 μm in diameter, are the smallest so far described in genus Vannella. Other cyst producing species are found in various branches within the Vannella phylogenetic tree, probably meaning that this ability was ancestral but lost in many branches (particularly in marine species), and perhaps re-gained in others.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sutherland K Maciver
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, Scotland, UK.
| | - Alvaro De Obeso Fernandez Del Valle
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, Scotland, UK
| | - Zisis Koutsogiannis
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Heterologous expression of Paranosema (Antonospora) locustae hexokinase in lepidopteran, Sf9, cells is followed by accumulation of the microsporidian protein in insect cell nuclei. J Invertebr Pathol 2017; 143:104-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
15
|
Abstract
Microsporidia are strict obligate intracellular parasites that infect a wide range of eukaryotes including humans and economically important fish and insects. Surviving and flourishing inside another eukaryotic cell is a very specialised lifestyle that requires evolutionary innovation. Genome sequence analyses show that microsporidia have lost most of the genes needed for making primary metabolites, such as amino acids and nucleotides, and also that they have only a limited capacity for making adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Since microsporidia cannot grow and replicate without the enormous amounts of energy and nucleotide building blocks needed for protein, DNA, and RNA biosynthesis, they must have evolved ways of stealing these substrates from the infected host cell. Providing they can do this, genome analyses suggest that microsporidia have the enzyme repertoire needed to use and regenerate the imported nucleotides efficiently. Recent functional studies suggest that a critical innovation for adapting to intracellular life was the acquisition by lateral gene transfer of nucleotide transport (NTT) proteins that are now present in multiple copies in all microsporidian genomes. These proteins are expressed on the parasite surface and allow microsporidia to steal ATP and other purine nucleotides for energy and biosynthesis from their host. However, it remains unclear how other essential metabolites, such as pyrimidine nucleotides, are acquired. Transcriptomic and experimental studies suggest that microsporidia might manipulate host cell metabolism and cell biological processes to promote nucleotide synthesis and to maximise the potential for ATP and nucleotide import. In this review, we summarise recent genomic and functional data relating to how microsporidia exploit their hosts for energy and building blocks needed for growth and nucleic acid metabolism and we identify some remaining outstanding questions.
Collapse
|
16
|
Hyperspora aquatica n.gn., n.sp. (Microsporidia), hyperparasitic in Marteilia cochillia (Paramyxida), is closely related to crustacean-infecting microspordian taxa. Parasitology 2016; 144:186-199. [PMID: 27748227 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The Paramyxida, closely related to haplosporidians, paradinids, and mikrocytids, is an obscure order of parasitic protists within the class Ascetosporea. All characterized ascetosporeans are parasites of invertebrate hosts, including molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes. Representatives of the genus Marteilia are the best studied paramyxids, largely due to their impact on cultured oyster stocks, and their listing in international legislative frameworks. Although several examples of microsporidian hyperparasitism of paramyxids have been reported, phylogenetic data for these taxa are lacking. Recently, a microsporidian parasite was described infecting the paramyxid Marteilia cochillia, a serious pathogen of European cockles. In the current study, we investigated the phylogeny of the microsporidian hyperparasite infecting M. cochillia in cockles and, a further hyperparasite, Unikaryon legeri infecting the digenean Meiogymnophallus minutus, also in cockles. We show that rather than representing basally branching taxa in the increasingly replete Cryptomycota/Rozellomycota outgroup (containing taxa such as Mitosporidium and Paramicrosoridium), these hyperparasites instead group with other known microsporidian parasites infecting aquatic crustaceans. In doing so, we erect a new genus and species (Hyperspora aquatica n. gn., n.sp.) to contain the hyperparasite of M. cochillia and clarify the phylogenetic position of U. legeri. We propose that in both cases, hyperparasitism may provide a strategy for the vectoring of microsporidians between hosts of different trophic status (e.g. molluscs to crustaceans) within aquatic systems. In particular, we propose that the paramyxid hyperparasite H. aquatica may eventually be detected as a parasite of marine crustaceans. The potential route of transmission of the microsporidian between the paramyxid (in its host cockle) to crustaceans, and, the 'hitch-hiking' strategy employed by H. aquatica is discussed.
Collapse
|
17
|
Todd CD, Reyes-Batlle M, Valladares B, Lindo JF, Lorenzo-Morales J. Vannellid Species Isolated from Freshwater Source in a Park in Jamaica, West Indies. Microbiol Insights 2015; 8:7-9. [PMID: 26512204 PMCID: PMC4603522 DOI: 10.4137/mbi.s30537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) occupy a wide range of freshwater, marine, and soil habitats, and are opportunistic pathogens in human beings. While Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris are well-known opportunistic organisms, Vannella epipetala is nonpathogenic. Sediments were collected from a freshwater source from a park in Jamaica to investigate the presence of FLA. Acanthamoeba and Naegleria spp. were not recovered; however, a Vannellid species identified by microscopy and PCR analysis as V. epipetala was isolated. These nonpathogens pose a threat to human beings as they may act as Trojan horses for microsporidian parasites and other pathogens, thereby facilitating their transmission to human beings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheridah D Todd
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. ; Department of Microbiology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Basilio Valladares
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - John F Lindo
- Department of Microbiology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Some secrets are revealed: parasitic keratitis amoebae as vectors of the scarcely described pandoraviruses to humans. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:3759-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4041-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
19
|
Scheid P. Relevance of free-living amoebae as hosts for phylogenetically diverse microorganisms. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2407-14. [PMID: 24828345 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In addition to their role as parasites, free-living amoebae (FLA) can act as hosts of and vehicles for phylogentically diverse microorganisms while some of them replicate intracellularly. These microorganisms are adapted to the intracellular conditions in the amoeba, find suitable conditions and protection from negative environmental influences and take advantage of the dispersal in the environment by their amoebic host. It is expedient to call these organisms "endocytobionts", at least during the initial steps of any studies. By doing so, it is not necessary to go into potential characteristics of these relationships such as parasitism, phoresy, zoochory, or mutualism at an early stage of study. Among those organisms resisting the lysis within their amoebic host, there are obligate and facultative pathogenic microorganisms affecting the health of humans or animals. FLA-endocytobiont relationships are not only important for the tenacity of the involved microorganisms. Especially if FLA are present in biofilms and there are close ties with many other microorganisms, the odds are for some of these microorganisms to develop human pathogenic properties. Here, the amoebic passage seems to be a prerequisite for the development of virulence factors and it may have an impact on evolutionary processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Scheid
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Grün AL, Stemplewitz B, Scheid P. First report of an Acanthamoeba genotype T13 isolate as etiological agent of a keratitis in humans. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2395-400. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3918-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
21
|
Corsaro D, Walochnik J, Venditti D, Steinmann J, Müller KD, Michel R. Microsporidia-like parasites of amoebae belong to the early fungal lineage Rozellomycota. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1909-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3838-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
22
|
Microsporidia: diverse, dynamic, and emergent pathogens in aquatic systems. Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:567-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
23
|
Scheid P, Schwarzenberger R. Acanthamoeba spp. as vehicle and reservoir of adenoviruses. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:479-85. [PMID: 22290448 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2828-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviruses are important pathogens which are responsible for human enteritic, respiratory and eye infections. These viruses have been found to be prevalent in several natural and artificial water reservoirs worldwide. Free-living amoebae (FLA) have been recovered from similar water reservoirs, and it has been shown that FLA may act as reservoirs or vehicles of various microorganisms living in the same environment. To examine the ability of FLA to harbour adenoviruses, an in vitro study was conducted. Several Acanthamoeba strains were ‘co-cultivated’ with adenoviruses (adenoviruses 11 and 41), grown on A549 cells, using a proven test protocol. After phagocytosis and ingestion, the adenoviruses could be found within the cytoplasm of the Acanthamoeba trophozoites. The intake of the viruses into the cytoplasm of the trophozoites was demonstrated in an Acanthamoeba castellanii strain with the help of fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. An adenovirus DFA kit, which utilizes a direct immunofluorescent antibody technique for identifying adenovirus in infected tissue cultures, was used. In our study, it was demonstrated that adenoviruses were incorporated into the host amoebae (Acanthamoeba sp. Grp. II, three strains). So far, there were only a few publications concerning the relationship of free-living amoebae and viruses; only one of these described the detection of adenoviruses within acanthamoebae with molecular biological methods. We conducted this descriptive study to further examine the association between viable adenoviruses and FLA. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate directly the adenoviruses within FLA as vectors and vehicles. Therefore, we concluded that free-living amoebae appear able to act as carriers or vectors of the adenoviruses and thus may play a certain role in the dispersal of adenoviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Scheid
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Andernacherstr. 100, 56070 Koblenz, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Molecular identification of Hartmannella vermiformis and Vannella persistens from man-made recreational water environments, Tehran, Iran. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:835-9. [PMID: 22476603 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A survey was conducted on man-made recreational water located in different regions of Tehran, Iran to detect the free-living amoebae present in ponds and fountains of parks and squares. Fifty water samples from 22 municipal districts of Tehran were screened for free-living amoebae and identified by morphological characters and polymerase chain reaction amplification. Amoebae detected were identified as Hartmannella vermiformis (12 %) and Vannella persistens (4 %), which are the first reports of these two amoebas in recreational water environments of Iran. Since, H. vermiformis, which is highly similar to strains serving as hosts for Legionella pneumophila, is a common component of the microbial community in fresh surface water. Although Vannella spp. is not proved to be pathogenic itself, they are capable of harboring pathogenic intracellular organisms. Due to some reports related to pathogenicity of these amoebas, the particular hazard related to these microorganisms should be taken into account in the encounter with drinking and washing in these waters. We recommend control strategies based on physical removal rather than on disinfection to be adopted where necessary.
Collapse
|
25
|
Scheid PL, Schwarzenberger R. Free-living amoebae as vectors of cryptosporidia. Parasitol Res 2011; 109:499-504. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
26
|
Persistence of free-living protozoan communities across rearing cycles in commercial poultry houses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:1763-9. [PMID: 21239551 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01756-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction and survival of zoonotic bacterial pathogens in poultry farming have been linked to bacterial association with free-living protozoa. To date, however, no information is available on the persistence of protozoan communities in these environments across consecutive rearing cycles and how it is affected by farm- and habitat-specific characteristics and management strategies. We therefore investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of free-living protozoa in three habitats (pipeline, water, and miscellaneous samples) in three commercial poultry houses across three rearing cycles by using the molecular fingerprinting technique denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Our study provides strong evidence for the long-term (ca. 6-month) persistence of protozoa in broiler houses across consecutive rearing cycles. Various free-living protozoa (flagellates, ciliates, and amoebae), including known vectors of bacterial pathogens, were observed during the down periods in between rearing cycles. In addition, multivariate analysis and variation partitioning showed that the protozoan community structure in the broiler houses showed almost no change across rearing cycles and remained highly habitat and farm specific. Unlike in natural environments, protozoan communities inside broiler houses are therefore not seasonal. Our results imply that currently used biosecurity measures (cleaning and disinfection) applied during the down periods are not effective against many protozoans and therefore cannot prevent potential cross-contamination of bacterial pathogens via free-living protozoa between rearing cycles.
Collapse
|
27
|
Ramirez E, Robles E, Martinez B. Free-living amoebae isolated from water-hyacinth root (Eichhornia crassipes). Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:42-4. [PMID: 20117108 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 01/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
28
|
Investigations of an extraordinary endocytobiont in Acanthamoeba sp.: development and replication. Parasitol Res 2010; 106:1371-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1811-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
29
|
Scheid P, Zöller L, Pressmar S, Richard G, Michel R. An extraordinary endocytobiont in Acanthamoeba sp. isolated from a patient with keratitis. Parasitol Res 2008; 102:945-50. [PMID: 18210154 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0858-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Accepted: 12/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the present article, the detection and the development of a parasitic endocytobiont within host amoebae (Acanthamoeba sp.) recently isolated from the contact lens and the inflamed eye of a patient with keratitis is presented. An otherwise healthy 55-year-old female patient presented with keratitis in her inflamed left eye. She was a contact lens wearer and had no history of a corneal trauma. Acanthamoebae as well as other smaller free-living amoebae could be detected from the fluid of the contact lens storage cases by culture methods. A successful therapy could be provided consequently. Two of these Acanthamoeba strains showed intracellular aggregating organisms. Within 2 to 3 days, the host amoebae ruptured, and numerous microorganisms were released. We succeeded in detecting the mechanism of infection and intrusion of this organisms by using light and electron microscopy. Infection with this endocytobiont is a suitable model for studying the host-parasite relations while the parasites use their hosts as so-called Trojan horses (see Barker, Lambert, Brown, Infect Immun 61:3503-3510, 1992).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Scheid
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Andernacherstr 100, 56070 Koblenz, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|