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Vingataramin Y, Quétel I, Pons MA, Talarmin A, Marcelino I. Spatiotemporal distribution of thermophilic free-living amoebae in recreational waters: A 5-year survey in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173318. [PMID: 38777057 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri and Sappinia pedata are naturally widespread in freshwater, causing rare but fatal and debilitating infections in humans. Although recent studies have shown an increase in infection rates, there is a paucity of epidemiological studies regarding the presence of these emerging pathogens in water. Herein, we studied the diversity and relative abundance of thermophilic FLA in different recreational baths in a tropical climate for 5 years. From 2018 to 2022, a total of 96 water samples were collected from 7 recreational baths (natural, tiled, regularly cleaned or not, and with temperatures ranging from 27 to 40 °C). DNA was extracted from FLA cultivated at 37 °C to detect thermophilic culturable FLA. Metabarcoding studies were conducted through FLA 18S rRNA gene amplicons sequencing; amplicon sequence variants (ASV) were extracted from each sample and taxonomy assigned against PR2 database using dada2 and phyloseq tools. We also searched for Naegleria sp. and N. fowleri using PCR targeting ITS and NFITS genes (respectively) and we quantified them using an optimized most probable number (MPN) method for FLA. Our results showed that differences in FLA diversity and abundance were observed amongst the 7 baths, but without a clear seasonal distribution. Naegleria, Vermamoeba and Stenamoeba were the most represented genera, while the genera Acanthamoeba and Vahlkampfia were mainly found in 2 baths. The MPN values for Naegleria sp. (NT/l) increased between 2018 and 2022, but the MPN values for N. fowleri (NF/l) seemed to decrease. Globally, our results showed that since we cannot establish a seasonal distribution of FLA, the regular presence of FLA (namely Naegleria and Acanthamoeba) in recreational waters can pose a potential threat in terms of neuroinfections as well as Acanthamoeba keratitis. It is thus imperious to perform the regular control of these baths as a preventive health measure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isaure Quétel
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Marie-Anne Pons
- Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, France
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France.
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Barnhart E, Kinsey SM, Wright PR, Caldwell SL, Hill V, Kahler A, Mattioli M, Cornman RS, Iwanowicz D, Eddy Z, Halonen S, Mueller R, Peyton BM, Puzon GJ. Naegleria fowleri Detected in Grand Teton National Park Hot Springs. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:628-637. [PMID: 38356928 PMCID: PMC10862551 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The free-living thermophilic amoeba Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) causes the highly fatal disease primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The environmental conditions that are favorable to the growth and proliferation of N. fowleri are not well-defined, especially in northern regions of the United States. In this study, we used culture-based methods and multiple molecular approaches to detect and analyzeN. fowleri and other Naegleria spp. in water, sediment, and biofilm samples from five hot spring sites in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A. These results provide the first detections of N. fowleri in Grand Teton National Park and provide new insights into the distribution of pathogenic N. fowleri and other nonpathogenic Naegleria spp. in natural thermal water systems in northern latitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott
P. Barnhart
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Wyoming/Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, United States
| | - Stacy M. Kinsey
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Wyoming/Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, United States
| | - Peter R. Wright
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Wyoming/Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, United States
| | - Sara L. Caldwell
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Wyoming/Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, United States
| | - Vince Hill
- U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, United States
| | - Amy Kahler
- U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, United States
| | - Mia Mattioli
- U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, United States
| | - Robert S. Cornman
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. C, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526, United States
| | - Deborah Iwanowicz
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430, United States
| | - Zachary Eddy
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Wyoming/Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, United States
| | - Sandra Halonen
- Department
of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Montana
State University, P.O. Box 173520, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Rebecca Mueller
- Western Regional
Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, California 94710, United States
| | - Brent M. Peyton
- Center
for Biofilm Engineering, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department, Montana State University, 366 Barnard Hall, Bozeman Montana 59717, United States
| | - Geoffrey J Puzon
- CSIRO
Environment, Private
Bag No. 5, Wembley, Western
Australia 6913, Australia
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Delumeau A, Quétel I, Harnais F, Sellin A, Gros O, Talarmin A, Marcelino I. Bacterial microbiota management in free-living amoebae (Heterolobosea lineage) isolated from water: The impact of amoebae identity, grazing conditions, and passage number. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165816. [PMID: 37506913 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa mainly found in aquatic environments. They are well-known reservoirs and vectors for the transmission of amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARB), most of which are pathogenic to humans. Yet, the natural bacterial microbiota associated with FLA remains largely unknown. Herein, we characterized the natural bacterial microbiota of different FLA species isolated from recreational waters in Guadeloupe. Monoxenic cultures of Naegleria australiensis, Naegleria sp. WTP3, Paravahlkampfia ustiana and Vahlkampfia sp. AK-2007 (Heterolobosea lineage) were cultivated under different grazing conditions, during successive passages. The whole bacterial microbiota of the waters and the amoebal cysts was characterized using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. The culturable subset of ARB was analyzed by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), conventional 16S PCR, and disk diffusion method (to assess bacterial antibiotic resistance). Transmission electron microscopy was used to locate the ARB inside the amoebae. According to alpha and beta-diversity analyses, FLA bacterial microbiota were significantly different from the ones of their habitat. While Vogesella and Aquabacterium genera were detected in water, the most common ARB belonged to Pseudomonas, Bosea, and Escherichia/Shigella genera. The different FLA species showed both temporary and permanent associations with differentially bacterial taxa, suggesting host specificity. These associations depend on the number of passages and grazing conditions. Additionally, Naegleria, Vahlkampfia and Paravahlkampfia cysts were shown to naturally harbor viable bacteria of the Acinetobacter, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Microbacterium genera, all being pathogenic to humans. To our knowledge, this is the first time Paravahlkampfia and Vahlkampfia have been demonstrated as hosts of pathogenic ARB in water. Globally, the persistence of these ARB inside resistant cysts represents a potential health risk. To ensure the continued safety of recreational waters, it is crucial to (i) regularly control both the amoebae and their ARB and (ii) improve knowledge on amoebae-bacteria interactions to establish better water management protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Delumeau
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isaure Quétel
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Florian Harnais
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Arantxa Sellin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Olivier Gros
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France.
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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.
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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
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Chaúque BJM, da Silva TCB, Dos Santos DL, Benitez GB, Chaúque LGH, Benetti AD, Zanette RA, Rott MB. Global prevalence of free-living amoebae in solid matrices - A systematic review with meta-analysis. Acta Trop 2023; 247:107006. [PMID: 37633571 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous free-living amoebae (FLA) are microorganisms of significant medical, sanitary, and ecological importance. However, their characterization within solid matrices such as soil, dust, sediment, mud, sludge, and compost remain to be systematized. In this study, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to explore the global distribution of FLA in solid matrices. From the analysis of 104 out of 4,414 scientific articles retrieved from different databases, it was found that the general global prevalence of FLA in solid matrices was of 55.13% (95% confidence interval (CI) 49.32-60.94). Specifically, FLA prevalence was high in soil (72.40%, 95% CI 69.08-75.73), sediment (57.91%, 95% CI 50.01-65.81), mud (52.90%, 95% CI 24.01-81.78), dust (48.60%, 95% CI 43.00-54.19), and sewage sludge (40.19%, 95% CI 30.68-49.70). In aerosols it was comparatively lower (17.21%, 95% CI 12.76-21.66). Acanthamoeba spp. (52.23%) and Hartmanella/Vermamoeba spp. (36.06%) were found to be more prevalent, whereas Naegleria spp. (34.98%) and Balamuthia spp. (27.32%) were less prevalent. The distribution of the highest global prevalence values for species of Acanthamoeba spp., considering different publication periods of the studies, is as follows: A. hatchetti (51.46%), A. rhysodes (47.49%), A. polyphaga (36.37%), A. culbertsoni (34.31%), A. castellanii (34.21%), and A. lenticulata (32.82%). For other FLA species, the distribution is: Hartmannella/Vermamoeba vermiformis (91.57%), Naegleria fowleri (42.32%), Naegleria gruberi (32.39%), and Balamuthia mandrillaris (25%). The most prevalent Acanthamoeba genotypes were T4 (33.38%) and T3 (23.94%). Overall, the global prevalence of FLA in solid matrices is as high as or greater than that reported in water by previous systematic reviews. Thus, actions aimed at reducing exposure to FLA or exploring their ecological dynamics should consider not only water but also the various solid matrices. The finding outlined here can provide valuable insights for such actions, e.g., informing on the level of exposure to FLA, or on the microbial biodiversity of specific environmental compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beni Jequicene Mussengue Chaúque
- Graduate Program in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UFRGS, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Center of Studies in Science and Technology (NECET), Biology Course, Universidade Rovuma, Niassa Branch, Lichinga, Mozambique
| | - Thaisla Cristiane Borella da Silva
- Graduate Program in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Denise Leal Dos Santos
- CAPES Clinical Research Pilot Program at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Brittes Benitez
- Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program, Polytechnic School, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR), Brazil
| | | | | | - Régis Adriel Zanette
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UFRGS, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marilise Brittes Rott
- Graduate Program in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Dereeper A, Allouch N, Guerlais V, Garnier M, Ma L, De Jonckheere JF, Joseph SJ, Ali IKM, Talarmin A, Marcelino I. Naegleria genus pangenome reveals new structural and functional insights into the versatility of these free-living amoebae. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1056418. [PMID: 36817109 PMCID: PMC9928731 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1056418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Free-living amoebae of the Naegleria genus belong to the major protist clade Heterolobosea and are ubiquitously distributed in soil and freshwater habitats. Of the 47 Naegleria species described, N. fowleri is the only one being pathogenic to humans, causing a rare but fulminant primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Some Naegleria genome sequences are publicly available, but the genetic basis for Naegleria diversity and ability to thrive in diverse environments (including human brain) remains unclear. Methods Herein, we constructed a high-quality Naegleria genus pangenome to obtain a comprehensive catalog of genes encoded by these amoebae. For this, we first sequenced, assembled, and annotated six new Naegleria genomes. Results and Discussion Genome architecture analyses revealed that Naegleria may use genome plasticity features such as ploidy/aneuploidy to modulate their behavior in different environments. When comparing 14 near-to-complete genome sequences, our results estimated the theoretical Naegleria pangenome as a closed genome, with 13,943 genes, including 3,563 core and 10,380 accessory genes. The functional annotations revealed that a large fraction of Naegleria genes show significant sequence similarity with those already described in other kingdoms, namely Animalia and Plantae. Comparative analyses highlighted a remarkable genomic heterogeneity, even for closely related strains and demonstrate that Naegleria harbors extensive genome variability, reflected in different metabolic repertoires. If Naegleria core genome was enriched in conserved genes essential for metabolic, regulatory and survival processes, the accessory genome revealed the presence of genes involved in stress response, macromolecule modifications, cell signaling and immune response. Commonly reported N. fowleri virulence-associated genes were present in both core and accessory genomes, suggesting that N. fowleri's ability to infect human brain could be related to its unique species-specific genes (mostly of unknown function) and/or to differential gene expression. The construction of Naegleria first pangenome allowed us to move away from a single reference genome (that does not necessarily represent each species as a whole) and to identify essential and dispensable genes in Naegleria evolution, diversity and biology, paving the way for further genomic and post-genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Dereeper
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Nina Allouch
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Vincent Guerlais
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Maëlle Garnier
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Laurence Ma
- Institut Pasteur de Paris, Biomics, Paris, France
| | | | - Sandeep J. Joseph
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ibne Karim M. Ali
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France,*Correspondence: Isabel Marcelino,
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Distribution and Current State of Molecular Genetic Characterization in Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101199. [PMID: 36297255 PMCID: PMC9612019 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101199] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa widely distributed in the environment, found in a great diversity of terrestrial biomes. Some genera of FLA are linked to human infections. The genus Acanthamoeba is currently classified into 23 genotypes (T1-T23), and of these some (T1, T2, T4, T5, T10, T12, and T18) are known to be capable of causing granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) mainly in immunocompromised patients while other genotypes (T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T10, T11, T12, and T15) cause Acanthamoeba keratitis mainly in otherwise healthy patients. Meanwhile, Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of an acute infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), while Balamuthia mandrillaris, like some Acanthamoeba genotypes, causes GAE, differing from the latter in the description of numerous cases in patients immunocompetent. Finally, other FLA related to the pathologies mentioned above have been reported; Sappinia sp. is responsible for one case of amoebic encephalitis; Vermamoeba vermiformis has been found in cases of ocular damage, and its extraordinary capacity as endocytobiont for microorganisms of public health importance such as Legionella pneumophila, Bacillus anthracis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among others. This review addressed issues related to epidemiology, updating their geographic distribution and cases reported in recent years for pathogenic FLA.
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Leal dos Santos D, Chaúque BJM, Virginio VG, Cossa VC, Pettan-Brewer C, Schrekker HS, Rott MB. Occurrence of Naegleria fowleri and their implication for health - a look under the One Health approaches. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 246:114053. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Prevalence of free-living amoebae in swimming pools and recreational waters, a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3033-3050. [PMID: 36040629 PMCID: PMC9424809 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07631-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are cosmopolitan microorganisms known to be pathogenic to humans who often have a history of contact with contaminated water. Swimming pools and recreational waters are among the environments where the greatest human exposure to FLA occurs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FLA in swimming pools and recreational waters, through a systematic review and meta-analysis that included studies published between 1977 and 2022. A total of 106 studies were included and an overall prevalence of FLA in swimming pools and recreational waters of 44.34% (95% CI = 38.57–50.18) was found. Considering the studies published up to 2010 (1977–2010), between 2010 and 2015, and those published after 2010 (> 2010–2022), the prevalence was 53.09% (95% CI = 43.33–62.73) and 37.07% (95% CI = 28.87–45.66) and 45.40% (95% CI = 35.48–55.51), respectively. The highest prevalence was found in the American continent (63.99%), in Mexico (98.35%), and in indoor hot swimming pools (52.27%). The prevalence varied with the variation of FLA detection methods, morphology (57.21%), PCR (25.78%), and simultaneously morphology and PCR (43.16%). The global prevalence by genera was Vahlkampfia spp. (54.20%), Acanthamoeba spp. (33.47%), Naegleria spp. (30.95%), Hartmannella spp./Vermamoeba spp. (20.73%), Stenamoeba spp. (12.05%), and Vannella spp. (10.75%). There is considerable risk of FLA infection in swimming pools and recreational waters. Recreational water safety needs to be routinely monitored and, in case of risk, locations need to be identified with warning signs and users need to be educated. Swimming pools and artificial recreational water should be properly disinfected. Photolysis of NaOCl or NaCl in water by UV-C radiation is a promising alternative to disinfect swimming pools and artificial recreational waters.
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Shawkey LA, Elfeky FA, Abou-Elnour BM, El-Wakil ES. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of FLA from different water sources in Egypt. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2022; 20:450-458. [PMID: 36366997 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2022.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa ubiquitously found in nature. In addition to their natural distribution, some species have been documented as pathogenic to humans. The main aim of the current study was the molecular identification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of morphologically detected FLA in water sources in El-Qalyubia, Egypt. A total of 96 water samples were collected from different water sources. Each water sample was filtrated and cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA). Morphologically positive FLA were subjected to PCR, PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were phylogenetically analysed. FLA were found in 41 water samples examined (42.7%). Nile water and groundwater were the sources with the highest prevalence rates (83.3 and 62.5%, respectively). Naegleria italica was first identified in Egypt from the waters of the Nile. In addition, Vahlkampfia spp. and Hartmannella spp. were also detected. However, other FLA species, including Acanthamoeba spp. and the pathogenic Naegleria fowleri, previously reported in Egypt, were not included in this study. The recent identification of these FLA in the Egyptian waters related to human populations indicates the need for more phylogenetic studies using larger sample sizes to investigate their potential threat to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamiaa A Shawkey
- Reference Laboratory for Drinking Water, Holding Company of Water and Waste Water, Shopra Elkhiema, Qalyubia 13772, Egypt
| | - Faten A Elfeky
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, 11754 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Basma M Abou-Elnour
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, 11754 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman S El-Wakil
- Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El-Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba (P.O. 30), Giza 12411, Egypt E-mail:
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Gunarathna N, Amarasinghe A, Wijesundara S, Iddawela D, Wickramasinghe S. Isolation, molecular characterization and phylogeny of Naegleria species in water bodies of North-Western Province, Sri Lanka. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248510. [PMID: 33705485 PMCID: PMC7951808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inland freshwater bodies in the North-Western Province of Sri Lanka have ideal environmental conditions for the Naegleria species. Therefore, the presence and prevalence of Naegleria species in the water bodies of North-Western Province were determined by molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis in this study. METHODS A total of 104 water bodies were selected from Kurunegala and Puttalam districts in the North-Western Province of Sri Lanka. Mean turbidity, pH, and temperature were recorded in each water body from three selected site. Centrifuged samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar plates with Escherichia coli. Enflagellation test positive isolates were subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction using genus and species-specific primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and Mp2CL5 gene. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. RESULTS The prevalence of Naegleria species and N. fowleri in the study area were 23.07% and 1.92%. The prevalence of Naegleria species and the physicochemical parameters of the water bodies showed no significant correlation. Bayesian analysis of the ITS region revealed the Naegleria Sri Lankan (SL) isolates 1, 3, and 4 in a single clade separated from the 2 and 5. Furthermore, Bayesian analysis identified isolates 2 and 5 in the same clade with Naegleria sp. samples and N. Philippinensis forming a sister clade. However, in the ML tree, all isolates were in the same clade with Naegleria sp. samples and N. Philippinensis. CONCLUSIONS The present study reports the first isolation of pathogenic N. fowleri from Sri Lanka. Based on Bayesian analysis, SL isolates 2 and 5 form a separate clade from 1, 3, and 4. However, in ML analysis, all isolates are grouped in one clade with Naegleria sp. samples and N. philippinensis. Further investigations are required to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuwan Gunarathna
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Ministry of Health, Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Anjalie Amarasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Sunil Wijesundara
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Devika Iddawela
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- * E-mail: (DI); (SW)
| | - Susiji Wickramasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- * E-mail: (DI); (SW)
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Stahl LM, Olson JB. Environmental abiotic and biotic factors affecting the distribution and abundance of Naegleria fowleri. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 97:6006869. [PMID: 33242082 PMCID: PMC8068756 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living protozoan that resides in soil and freshwater. Human intranasal amoebae exposure through water or potentially dust particles can culminate in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, which generally causes death. While many questions remain regarding pathogenesis, the microbial ecology of N. fowleri is even less understood. This review outlines current knowledge of the environmental abiotic and biotic factors that affect the distribution and abundance of N. fowleri. Although the impacts of some abiotic factors remain poorly investigated or inconclusive, N. fowleri appears to have a wide pH range, low salinity tolerance and thermophilic preference. From what is known about biotic factors, the amoebae preferentially feed upon bacteria and are preyed upon by other free-living amoebae. Additional laboratory and environmental studies are needed to fill in knowledge gaps, which are crucial for surveillance and management of N. fowleri in freshwaters. As surface water temperatures increase with climate change, it is likely that this amoeba will pose a greater threat to human health, suggesting that identifying its abiotic and biotic preferences is critical to mitigating this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigha M Stahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Julie B Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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Retana Moreira L, Zamora Rojas L, Grijalba Murillo M, Molina Castro SE, Abrahams Sandí E. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Related to Groundwater in Costa Rica: Diagnostic Confirmation of Three Cases and Environmental Investigation. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080629. [PMID: 32752181 PMCID: PMC7459727 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During the first trimester of 2020, the Ministry of Health of Costa Rica reported the first three cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). In two cases, laboratory personnel of the hospitals preliminarily identified amoeboid forms in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. For the molecular confirmation of species, CSF samples were sent to our laboratory. We carried out microscopic analyses and exflagellation assays. Besides, samples were cultured in 2% casein hydrolysate medium and in non-nutrient agar plates supplemented with Escherichia coli. Finally, PCR and sequencing were employed for the molecular diagnosis and species identification. In all cases, the presence of Naegleria fowleri was confirmed. An environmental investigation to identify the possible infection sources was also performed. Water samples from hot springs and groundwater from an artisan well were collected and after filtration and culture in non-nutrient agar plates supplemented with E. coli, thermotolerance and exflagellation assays were carried out. For the positive samples, PCR and sequencing were performed, confirming the presence of N. fowleri in several water samples. The report of these cases and the possible association with hot springs has had a significant impact on the population and health authorities of Costa Rica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Retana Moreira
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 11501, Costa Rica;
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 11501, Costa Rica
| | - Leidy Zamora Rojas
- Hospital Maximiliano Peralta Jiménez, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, Cartago 30102, Costa Rica;
| | - Muriel Grijalba Murillo
- Laboratorio Clínico Hospital Enrique Baltodano, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, Liberia, Guanacaste 50101, Costa Rica;
| | - Silvia Elena Molina Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 11501, Costa Rica;
| | - Elizabeth Abrahams Sandí
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 11501, Costa Rica;
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca 11501, Costa Rica
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +506-2511-8586
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Saberi R, Seifi Z, Dodangeh S, Najafi A, Abdollah Hosseini S, Anvari D, Taghipour A, Norouzi M, Niyyati M. A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis on the global prevalence of
Naegleria
spp. in water sources. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2389-2402. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Saberi
- Department of Medical Parasitology School of Medicine Toxoplasmosis Research CenterMazandaran University of Medical Sciences Sari Iran
- Student Research Committee Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Sari Iran
| | - Zahra Seifi
- Student Research Committee Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Sari Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology School of Medicine Toxoplasmosis Research CenterMazandaran University of Medical Sciences Sari Iran
| | - Azar Najafi
- Department of Medical Parasitology Paramedical Faculty Ilam University of Medical Sciences Ilam Iran
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Lorestan Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Department of Medical Parasitology School of Medicine Toxoplasmosis Research CenterMazandaran University of Medical Sciences Sari Iran
| | - Davood Anvari
- Department of Medical Parasitology School of Medicine Toxoplasmosis Research CenterMazandaran University of Medical Sciences Sari Iran
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Department of Parasitology Faculty of Medical Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Maryam Norouzi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology Faculty of Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology Faculty of Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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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.
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Moussa M, Marcelino I, Richard V, Guerlotté J, Talarmin A. An Optimized Most Probable Number (MPN) Method to Assess the Number of Thermophilic Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) in Water Samples. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050409. [PMID: 32456327 PMCID: PMC7281388 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050409] [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: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection and quantification of pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) in water samples is critical for assessing water quality and for disease management issues. The most probable number (MPN) is commonly used to account for FLA in water. Nevertheless, this requires a high number of water replicates and working volumes, and a consequent number of non-nutrient agar (NNA)-plates seeded with Escherichia coli. Herein, we aimed at optimizing this difficult method, taking also into account key factors such as (i) the counting method, (ii) the delay between sample collection and sample processing, and (iii) the temperature during water sample transportation. To simplify the MPN method, we filtrated 1 × 1000 and 1 × 100 mL water samples, and cellulose acetate filters were cut in 10 parts and inverted on NNA-plates overlaid with E. coli. The comparison between the classical and our optimized MPN method showed that the final counts were similar, therefore validating the use of the optimized method. Our results also showed that for thermophilic FLA (such as Naegleria fowleri), water samples can be kept at around +30°C and processed within 24 h. This improved MPN method is now routinely used in our laboratory to control Naegleria sp. in the water samples in Guadeloupe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Moussa
- Unité TReD-Path (Transmission Réservoir & Diversité des Pathogènes), Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, 97183 Guadeloupe, France; (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Unité TReD-Path (Transmission Réservoir & Diversité des Pathogènes), Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, 97183 Guadeloupe, France; (M.M.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +590-590-897-664
| | | | - Jérôme Guerlotté
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB) MNHN, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE Université des Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, 97110 Guadeloupe, France;
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Unité TReD-Path (Transmission Réservoir & Diversité des Pathogènes), Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes, 97183 Guadeloupe, France; (M.M.); (A.T.)
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Potentially pathogenic genera of free-living amoebae coexisting in a thermal spring. Exp Parasitol 2018; 195:54-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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18
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Farra A, Bekondi C, Tricou V, Mbecko JR, Talarmin A. Free-living amoebae isolated in the Central African Republic: epidemiological and molecular aspects. Pan Afr Med J 2017; 26:57. [PMID: 28451034 PMCID: PMC5398892 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.26.57.9021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the many species of free-living amoebae infecting humans, only Naegleria fowleri, a few species of Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia mandrillaris recently Sappinia diploïdea and Paravahlkampfia Francina are responsible for human diseases especially deadly encephalitis outside of Acanthamoeba keratitis related. In the Central African Republic (CAR), no studies have previously been conducted about free amoebae and no suspicious cases of encephalitis or amoebic keratitis was reported even though the ecosystem supported the proliferation of these microorganisms. The objective of this study was to identify free-living amoebae present in CAR and to define the molecular characteristic. Bathing sites and cerebrospinal fluid from patients died of bacterial meningitis untagged were explored by culture and PCR and the amplicons were sequenced which allowed to characterize the species found. Only species of the genus Tetramitus, namely T. Entericus, T. waccamawensis and T.sp similar to those already described in the world and not pathogenic for humans were found in bathing sites, the cerebrospinal fluid meanwhile remained negative. Although no pathogen species such as Naegleria fowleri or species of Acanthamoeba have been isolated, this study worth pursuing because this investigation was very limited in space because of the insecurity in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Farra
- Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Republique Centrafricaine
| | | | - Vianney Tricou
- Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Republique Centrafricaine
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AL-HERRAWY AZ, KHALIL MI, EL-SHERIF SS, OMAR FAE, LOTFY WM. Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria Species in Two Swimming Pools in Alexandria University, Egypt. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2017; 12:196-205. [PMID: 28761479 PMCID: PMC5527029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Swimming in contaminated water was reported to be associated with Acanthamoeba and N. fowleri human infections. The present study was carried out with the aim of isolation and identification of the different species of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria from two swimming pools in Alexandria University. METHODS Samples were collected from the swimming pools of Alexandria University Stadium and Faculty of Agriculture-Alexandria University during the period from May 2012 to April 2013. RESULTS Free-living amoebae were prevalent in the collected samples. Molecular characterization confirmed the identity of ten Acanthamoeba isolates and seven Naegleria isolates. Acanthamoeba T3, T4, T5, T11 and T15 genotypes were identified. Acanthamoeba T4 was the most prevalent genotype. CONCLUSION The relatively high prevalence of Acanthamoeba, especially genotype T4, indicates the presence of a health hazard to swimmers particularly those wearing contact lenses. Naegleria fowleri was not found during the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Z. AL-HERRAWY
- Dept. of Water Pollution Research, National Research Center, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud I. KHALIL
- Dept. of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Soheir S. EL-SHERIF
- Dept. of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Fatima A. E. OMAR
- Dept. of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Wael M. LOTFY
- Dept. of Parasitology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt,Correspondence
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Panda A, Khalil S, Mirdha BR, Singh Y, Kaushik S. Prevalence of Naegleria fowleri in Environmental Samples from Northern Part of India. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137736. [PMID: 26484533 PMCID: PMC4618853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri the causative agent of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, is ubiquitously distributed worldwide in various warm aquatic environments and soil habitats. The present study reports on the presence of Naegleria spp. in various water bodies present in Rohtak and Jhajjar district, of state Haryana, India. A total of 107 water reservoirs were screened from summer till autumn (2012 and 2013). In order to isolate Naegleria spp. from the collected water samples, the water samples were filtered and the trapped debris after processing were transferred to non-nutrient agar plates already seeded with lawn culture of Escherichia coli. Out of total 107 water samples, 43 (40%) samples were positive by culture for free living amoeba after incubation for 14 days at 37°C. To identify the isolates, the ITS1, 5.8SrDNA and ITS2 regions were targeted for PCR assay. Out of total 43 positive samples, 37 isolates were positive for Naegleria spp. using genus specific primers and the most frequently isolated species was Naegleria australiensis. Out of 37 Naegleria spp. positive isolates, 1 isolate was positive for Naegleria fowleri. The sequence analysis revealed that the Naegleria fowleri strain belonged to Type 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Panda
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shehla Khalil
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Bijay Ranjan Mirdha
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: ;
| | - Yogita Singh
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Samander Kaushik
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Harayana, India
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Reeder WHH, Sanck J, Hirst M, Dawson SC, Wolfe GV. The Food Web of Boiling Springs Lake Appears Dominated by the Heterolobosean Tetramitus thermacidophilus Strain BSL. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2014; 62:374-90. [PMID: 25382699 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We studied the protist grazers of Boiling Springs Lake (BSL), an acid geothermal feature in Lassen Volcanic National Park, using a combination of culture and genetic approaches. The major predator in BSL is a vahlkampfiid ameba closely related (95% 18S+ITS rRNA identity) to Tetramitus thermacidophilus, a heterolobose ameboflagellate recently isolated from volcanic geothermal acidic sites in Europe and Russia, as well as an uncultured heterolobosean from the nearby Iron Mountain acid mine drainage site. Tetramitus thermacidophilus strain BSL is capable of surviving the physical extremes of BSL, with optimal growth at 38-50 °C and pH 2-5. This bacterivore also ingested conidiospores of the ascomycete Phialophora sp., but ultrastructural observations reveal the latter may not be readily digested, and conidia were not separable from the ameoboflagellate culture, suggesting a possible symbiosis. DGGE fingerprint transects studies showed the organism is restricted to near-lake environs, and we detected an average of ~500 viable cysts/cm(3) sediment on the shoreline. Other grazing protists were isolated from lakeshore environments, including the lobose amebae Acanthamoeba sp. and Hartmannella sp., and the kinetoplastid flagellate Bodo sp., but none could tolerate both low pH and high temperature. These appear to be restricted to cooler near lake geothermal features, which also contain other potential grazer morphotypes observed but not successfully cultured, including ciliates, euglenids, testate amebae, and possible cercozoans. We compare the food web of BSL with other acidic or geothermal sites, and discuss the impact of protists in this unique environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H H Reeder
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, Chico, California, 95929-0515
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Distribution of free-living amoebae in a treatment system of textile industrial wastewater. Exp Parasitol 2014; 145 Suppl:S34-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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De Jonckheere JF. What do we know by now about the genus Naegleria? Exp Parasitol 2014; 145 Suppl:S2-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Moussa M, Tissot O, Guerlotté J, De Jonckheere JF, Talarmin A. Soil is the origin for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the thermal recreational waters. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:311-5. [PMID: 25352239 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is found in most geothermal baths of Guadeloupe and has been responsible for the death of a 9-year-old boy who swam in one of these baths in 2008. We wanted to determine the origin for the presence of this amoeba in the water. Water samples were taken at the origin of the geothermal sources and at the arrival in the baths. After filtration, cultures were made and the number of Naegleria present was determined using the most probable number method. Soil samples collected in the proximity of the baths were also tested for the presence of thermophilic amoebae. The species identification was obtained by PCR. During three consecutive months, no Naegleria could be found at the origin of any geothermal source tested. In contrast, N. fowleri was isolated at least once in all baths at the arrival of the water, except one. Thermophilic amoebae could be found in each soil sample, especially near the baths located at a lower altitude, but N. fowleri was only isolated near two baths, which were also the baths most often contaminated with this species. So it appears that the contamination of the water with N. fowleri occurs after emerging from the geothermal source when the water runs over the soil. Therefore, it should be possible to reduce the concentration of N. fowleri in the geothermal baths of Guadeloupe to for example less than 1 N. fowleri/10 L by installing a pipeline between the geothermal sources and the baths and by preventing flooding water from entering the baths after rainfall. By taking these measures, we were able to eliminate N. fowleri from a pool located inside a reeducation clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Moussa
- Unité Environnement-Santé, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, 97183, Les Abymes CEDEX, Guadeloupe, France
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Baquero RA, Reyes-Batlle M, Nicola GG, Martín-Navarro CM, López-Arencibia A, Guillermo Esteban J, Valladares B, Martínez-Carretero E, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Presence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae strains from well water samples in Guinea-Bissau. Pathog Glob Health 2014; 108:206-11. [PMID: 24934796 DOI: 10.1179/2047773214y.0000000143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) include opportunistic pathogens such as Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and the genera Sappinia and Acanthamoeba. In this study, a survey was conducted in order to evaluate the presence of potentially pathogenic amoebic strains in water samples collected from wells located in the western part of Guinea-Bissau. The samples were left to precipitate for 48 hours and then the sediments were seeded on non-nutrient agar plates containing Escherichia coli spread and cultures were checked daily for the presence of FLA. Identification of FLA strains was based on the morphological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the 18S rDNA or 16S mitochondrial rDNA genes in the case of Naegleria and Balamuthia genera, respectively. In the case of positive samples of Acanthamoeba, strains were further classified at the genotype level by sequencing the diagnostic fragment 3 (DF3) region located in the 18S rDNA gene as previously described. Sappinia sp. was not isolated during the study and thus, no molecular analysis was performed for this genus. The obtained results revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba (genotypes T3 and T4), Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of FLA in water bodies from Guinea-Bissau and the first report on the isolation of Balamuthia mandrillaris from environmental sources in Africa.
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Goudot S, Herbelin P, Mathieu L, Soreau S, Banas S, Jorand F. Biocidal efficacy of monochloramine against planktonic and biofilm-associated Naegleria fowleri
cells. J Appl Microbiol 2014; 116:1055-65. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Goudot
- EDF Recherche et Développement; Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement; Chatou Cedex France
- Université de Lorraine; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Institut Jean Barriol; Villers-lès-Nancy France
- CNRS; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Villers-lès-Nancy France
| | - P. Herbelin
- EDF Recherche et Développement; Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement; Chatou Cedex France
| | - L. Mathieu
- CNRS; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Villers-lès-Nancy France
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE); LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS-UL; Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy France
| | - S. Soreau
- EDF Recherche et Développement; Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement; Chatou Cedex France
| | - S. Banas
- Université de Lorraine; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Institut Jean Barriol; Villers-lès-Nancy France
- CNRS; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Villers-lès-Nancy France
| | - F.P.A. Jorand
- Université de Lorraine; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Institut Jean Barriol; Villers-lès-Nancy France
- CNRS; LCPME; UMR 7564 CNRS - UL; Villers-lès-Nancy France
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Isolation and identification of naegleria species from environmental water in changchun, northeastern china. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2014; 9:254-9. [PMID: 25848393 PMCID: PMC4386047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naegleria is a free-living amoeba, and pathogenic Naegleria may pose a health risk to people exposed to recreational water. Our objective in this study was to determine if there are pathogenic amoebae in environmental water samples from Changchun, Northeastern China. METHODS During July to September 2012, a total of 70 water samples were collected from Changchun, Northeastern China, and Naegleria was enriched by in vitro culture and detected by PCR using Naegleria genus-specific primers. Resulting PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed to identify Naegleria species. RESULTS Naegleria was detected in 65 (92.9%) of 70 water samples. DNA sequence and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences revealed four Naegleria species, including N. pagei (n = 24) and N. Australiensis (n = 18), N. clarki (n = 13) and N. gruberi (n = 10), in which N. australiensis is pathogenic to mice. But the pathogenic species N. fowleri was not detected. CONCLUSION This is the first report on Naegleria species in Northeastern China, showing that almost all environmental water samples were contaminated with Naegleria, including N. pagei, N. Australiensis, N. clarki and N. gruberi, which should be considered a potential public health threat.
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