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Malinowski N, Morgan MJ, Wylie J, Walsh T, Domingos S, Metcalfe S, Kaksonen AH, Barnhart EP, Mueller R, Peyton BM, Puzon GJ. Prokaryotic microbial ecology as an ecosurveillance tool for eukaryotic pathogen colonisation: Meiothermus and Naegleria fowleri. Water Res 2024; 254:121426. [PMID: 38471203 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri has been detected in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) in Australia, Pakistan and the United States and is the causative agent of the highly fatal disease primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Previous small scale field studies have shown that Meiothermus may be a potential biomarker for N. fowleri. However, correlations between predictive biomarkers in small sample sizes often breakdown when applied to larger more representative datasets. This study represents one of the largest and most rigorous temporal investigations of Naegleria fowleri colonisation in an operational DWDS in the world and measured the association of Meiothermus and N. fowleri over a significantly larger space and time in the DWDS. A total of 232 samples were collected from five sites over three-years (2016-2018), which contained 29 positive N. fowleri samples. Two specific operational taxonomic units assigned to M. chliarophilus and M. hypogaeus, were significantly associated with N. fowleri presence. Furthermore, inoculation experiments demonstrated that Meiothermus was required to support N. fowleri growth in field-collected biofilms. This validates Meiothermus as prospective biological tool to aid in the identification and surveillance of N. fowleri colonisable sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Malinowski
- CSIRO Environment, Floreat Park, WA, Australia; Water Corporation of Western Australia, Leederville, WA, Australia
| | | | - Jason Wylie
- CSIRO Environment, Floreat Park, WA, Australia
| | - Tom Walsh
- CSIRO Environment, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Sergio Domingos
- Water Corporation of Western Australia, Leederville, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Elliott P Barnhart
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Helena, Montana (MT), USA
| | - Rebecca Mueller
- Centre for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Brent M Peyton
- Centre for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
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Ward L, Sherchan SP. Surveillance of Naegleria fowleri in Louisiana's public water systems. J Water Health 2023; 21:1627-1631. [PMID: 38017594 PMCID: wh_2023_040 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri (Nf) inhabits soil and natural waters worldwide: it is thermophilic and thrives at temperatures up to 45 °C and in a multitude of environments. Three deaths in Louisiana were attributed to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Nf infection in 2011 and 2013. Following these incidents, public water systems are now monitored for the presence of Nf in Louisiana. From 2014 to 2018, 29% (27/93) of samples collected showed positive for Nf and 68% (63/93) showed all thermophilic amoeba culture. Ten raw water sources and 17 distribution water systems tested positive. The year 2017 showed the highest number of samples with Nf (n = 10) followed by nine samples in 2015. As climate change increases surface water temperatures, continued testing for Nf prevalence will be an important facet of water monitoring and will need to extend into locations farther north than the current most common range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Ward
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; Center of Research Excellence in Wastewater based Epidemiology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA E-mail:
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; Center of Research Excellence in Wastewater based Epidemiology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Akbar N, Siddiqui R, El-Gamal MI, Zaraei SO, Alawfi BS, Khan NA. The anti-amoebic potential of carboxamide derivatives containing sulfonyl or sulfamoyl moieties against brain-eating Naegleria fowleri. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2539-2548. [PMID: 37665414 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07953-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living thermophilic flagellate amoeba that causes a rare but life-threatening infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with a very high fatality rate. Herein, the anti-amoebic potential of carboxamide derivatives possessing sulfonyl or sulfamoyl moiety was assessed against pathogenic N. fowleri using amoebicidal, cytotoxicity and cytopathogenicity assays. The results from amoebicidal experiments showed that derivatives dramatically reduced N. fowleri viability. Selected derivatives demonstrated IC50 values at lower concentrations; 1j showed IC50 at 24.65 μM, while 1k inhibited 50% amoebae growth at 23.31 μM. Compounds with significant amoebicidal effects demonstrated limited cytotoxicity against human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. Finally, some derivatives mitigated N. fowleri-instigated host cell death. Ultimately, this study demonstrated that 1j and 1k exhibited potent anti-amoebic activity and ought to be looked at in future studies for the development of therapeutic anti-amoebic pharmaceuticals. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical relevance of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Akbar
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 26666, United Arab Emirates
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bader S Alawfi
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Nadeem A, Malik IA, Afridi EK, Shariq F. Naegleria fowleri outbreak in Pakistan: unveiling the crisis and path to recovery. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1266400. [PMID: 37927850 PMCID: PMC10620794 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1266400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of Naegleria fowleri in Pakistan presents a significant public health concern due to its high fatality rate and limited treatment options. This review explores the impact of the outbreak on communities and the challenges faced in combating the disease. It evaluates available treatment options and highlights the need for early diagnosis and intervention. The study proposes recommendations to improve public health preparedness, including public awareness campaigns, enhanced healthcare infrastructure, and robust water surveillance systems. Collaboration between research institutions and public health organizations is emphasized to develop effective outbreak response strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Nadeem
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Inshal Arshad Malik
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Eesha Khan Afridi
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Fariha Shariq
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
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Zheng S, Li J, Ye C, Xian X, Feng M, Yu X. Microbiological risks increased by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria under global warming: The neglected issue in chloraminated drinking water distribution system. Sci Total Environ 2023; 874:162353. [PMID: 36822432 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A rising outbreak of waterborne diseases caused by global warming requires higher microbial stability in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS). Chloramine disinfection is gaining popularity in this context due to its good persistent stability and fewer disinfection byproducts. However, the microbiological risks may be significantly magnified by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in distribution systems during global warming, which is rarely noticed. Hence, this work mainly focuses on AOB to explore its impact on water quality biosafety in the context of global warming. Research indicates that global warming-induced high temperatures can directly or indirectly promote the growth of AOB, thus leading to nitrification. Further, its metabolites or cellular residues can be used as substrates for the growth of heterotrophic bacteria (e.g., waterborne pathogens). Thus, biofilm may be more persistent in the pipelines due to the presence of AOB. Breakpoint chlorination is usually applied to control such situations. However, switching between this strategy and chloramine disinfection would result in even more severe nitrification and other adverse effects. Based on the elevated microbiological risks in DWDS, the following aspects should be paid attention to in future research: (1) to understand the response of nitrifying bacteria to high temperatures and the possible association between AOB and pathogenic growth, (2) to reveal the mechanisms of AOB-mediated biofilm formation under high-temperature stress, and (3) to develop new technologies to prevent and control the occurrence of nitrification in drinking water distribution system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikan Zheng
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chengsong Ye
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xuanxuan Xian
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Mingbao Feng
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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Logan-Jackson AR, Batista MD, Healy W, Ullah T, Whelton AJ, Bartrand TA, Proctor C. A Critical Review on the Factors that Influence Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens: From Building Entry to Fixtures in Residences. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:6360-6372. [PMID: 37036108 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Residential buildings provide unique conditions for opportunistic premise plumbing pathogen (OPPP) exposure via aerosolized water droplets produced by showerheads, faucets, and tubs. The objective of this review was to critically evaluate the existing literature that assessed the impact of potentially enhancing conditions to OPPP occurrence associated with residential plumbing and to point out knowledge gaps. Comprehensive studies on the topic were found to be lacking. Major knowledge gaps identified include the assessment of OPPP growth in the residential plumbing, from building entry to fixtures, and evaluation of the extent of the impact of typical residential plumbing design (e.g., trunk and branch and manifold), components (e.g., valves and fixtures), water heater types and temperature setting of operation, and common pipe materials (copper, PEX, and PVC/CPVC). In addition, impacts of the current plumbing code requirements on OPPP responses have not been assessed by any study and a lack of guidelines for OPPP risk management in residences was identified. Finally, the research required to expand knowledge on OPPP amplification in residences was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alshae' R Logan-Jackson
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Marylia Duarte Batista
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - William Healy
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Tania Ullah
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Andrew J Whelton
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Timothy A Bartrand
- Environmental Science, Policy, and Research Institute, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004, United States
| | - Caitlin Proctor
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Miko S, Cope JR, Hlavsa MC, Ali IKM, Brown TW, Collins JP, Greeley RD, Kahler AM, Moore KO, Roundtree AV, Roy S, Sanders LL, Shah V, Stuteville HD, Mattioli MC. A Case of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Associated with Surfing at an Artificial Surf Venue: Environmental Investigation. ACS ES T Water 2023; 3:1126-1133. [PMID: 37213412 PMCID: PMC10193442 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic ameba found in freshwater that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when it enters the nose and migrates to the brain. In September 2018, a 29-year-old man died of PAM after traveling to Texas. We conducted an epidemiologic and environmental investigation to identify the water exposure associated with this PAM case. The patient's most probable water exposure occurred while surfing in an artificial surf venue. The surf venue water was not filtered or recirculated; water disinfection and water quality testing were not documented. N. fowleri and thermophilic amebae were detected in recreational water and sediment samples throughout the facility. Codes and standards for treated recreational water venues open to the public could be developed to address these novel venues. Clinicians and public health officials should also consider novel recreational water venues as a potential exposure for this rare amebic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Miko
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Jennifer R. Cope
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Michele C. Hlavsa
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Ibne Karim M. Ali
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Travis W. Brown
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Jennifer P. Collins
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | | | - Amy M. Kahler
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Kathleen O. Moore
- Texas Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714-9347
| | - Alexis V. Roundtree
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
- Chenega Enterprise System & Solutions, 609 Independence Parkway Suite 210, Chesapeake, VA 23320
| | - Shantanu Roy
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Lacey L. Sanders
- Waco-McLennan County Public Health District; 225 W Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76707
| | - Vaidehi Shah
- Waco-McLennan County Public Health District; 225 W Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76707
| | - Haylea D. Stuteville
- Texas Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714-9347
| | - Mia C. Mattioli
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
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Ahmad Zamzuri M‘AI, Abd Majid FN, Mihat M, Ibrahim SS, Ismail M, Abd Aziz S, Mohamed Z, Rejali L, Yahaya H, Abdullah Z, Hassan MR, Dapari R, Mohd Isa AM. Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3021. [PMID: 36833715 PMCID: PMC9964342 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but lethal infection of the brain caused by a eukaryote called Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). The aim of this review is to consolidate the recently published case reports of N. fowleri infection by describing its epidemiology and clinical features with the goal of ultimately disseminating this information to healthcare personnel. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID databases until 31 December 2022 by two independent reviewers. All studies from the year 2013 were extracted, and quality assessments were carried out meticulously prior to their inclusion in the final analysis. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were selected for qualitative analyses out of the 461 studies extracted. The cases were distributed globally, and 72.7% of the cases succumbed to mortality. The youngest case was an 11-day-old boy, while the eldest was a 75-year-old. Significant exposure to freshwater either from recreational activities or from a habit of irrigating the nostrils preceded onset. The symptoms at early presentation included fever, headache, and vomiting, while late sequalae showed neurological manifestation. An accurate diagnosis remains a challenge, as the symptoms mimic bacterial meningitis. Confirmatory tests include the direct visualisation of the amoeba or the use of the polymerase chain reaction method. CONCLUSIONS N. fowleri infection is rare but leads to PAM. Its occurrence is worldwide with a significant risk of fatality. The suggested probable case definition based on the findings is the acute onset of fever, headache, and vomiting with meningeal symptoms following exposure to freshwater within the previous 14 days. Continuous health promotion and health education activities for the public can help to improve knowledge and awareness prior to engagement in freshwater activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farah Nabila Abd Majid
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Massitah Mihat
- Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia
| | - Siti Salwa Ibrahim
- Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ismail
- Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia
| | - Suriyati Abd Aziz
- Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia
| | - Zuraida Mohamed
- Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia
| | - Lokman Rejali
- Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia
| | - Hazlina Yahaya
- Public Health Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya 62000, Malaysia
| | - Zulhizzam Abdullah
- Public Health Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya 62000, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Rohaizat Hassan
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | - Rahmat Dapari
- Department of Community Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Abd Majid Mohd Isa
- Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN Putra Nilai, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
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Otero-ruiz A, Gonzalez-zuñiga LD, Rodriguez-anaya LZ, Lares-jiménez LF, Gonzalez-galaviz JR, Lares-villa F. Distribution and Current State of Molecular Genetic Characterization in Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae. Pathogens 2022; 11:1199. [PMID: 36297255 PMCID: PMC9612019 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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A Shahin S, H Alarcon J, Brosky HN, Lamori JG, Dada AC, Xue J, Gyawali P, P Sherchan S. Occurrence of Naegleria fowleri and faecal indicators in sediments from Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. J Water Health 2022; 20:657-669. [PMID: 35482382 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2022.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, in sediment samples from Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana was investigated. This amoeba is pathogenic and can cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods were used to test for the prevalence of Naegleria fowleri, HF183, and E. coli. N. fowleri was detected in 51.25% of our sediment samples. Illumina sequencing of sediment samples revealed ten different phyla, with Cyanobacteria being the most predominant at sites that generally presented with the highest median N. fowleri concentrations. N. fowleri was however strongly negatively correlated with HF183 (r = -0.859, p < 0.001). Whenever sediment E. coli concentrations were below 1.54 Log GC/g, there was only a 37.5% chance that N. fowleri would be detected in the same sample. When sediment E. coli concentrations exceeded 2.77 Log GC/g, the chances of detecting N. fowleri in the same sample increased to 90%, potentially suggesting predatory activity by the amoeba. The effect of temperature was observed to be different in relation to observed N. fowleri concentrations and detection rates. Although sediment samples collected during periods of higher temperatures had significantly lower mean N. fowleri concentrations (2.7 Log GC/g) compared to those collected at lower temperatures (3.7 Log GC/g, t(39) = 4.167, p < 0.001), higher N. fowleri detection rates in the overall samples were observed at higher temperatures (>19.1 °C) than at lower temperatures (<19.1 °C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalina A Shahin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Joshua H Alarcon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Hanna N Brosky
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Jennifer G Lamori
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail:
| | | | - Jia Xue
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Pradip Gyawali
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Porirua 5240, New Zealand
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail: ; Department of Biology, Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
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Zhou W, Ouyang Y, Zhang D, Liao S, Liang H, Zhao L, Chen C. Case Report and Literature Review: Bacterial Meningoencephalitis or Not? Naegleria fowleri Related Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in China. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:785735. [PMID: 35463884 PMCID: PMC9033202 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.785735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In China, a 9-year-old boy was transferred to the hospital with fever, vomiting, and headache. The disease rapidly deteriorated into vague consciousness. Applying conventional clinical examinations such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, the diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis was first drawn, and expectant treatments were adopted immediately. However, the symptoms did not alleviate, adversely, this boy died 3 days after admission. Considering the skeptical points of the duration, such as the unknown infectious bacteria and the pathogen invasion path, blood and CSF samples were then sent for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to ascertain the cause of death. The 42,899 and 1,337 specific sequences of N. fowleri were detected by mNGS in the CSF sample and the blood sample, respectively. PCR results and pathological smear subsequently confirmed the mNGS detection. The patient was finally diagnosed as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Besides, in this article, 15 similar child infection cases in the past 10 years are summarized and analyzed to promote the early diagnosis of this rare disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Zhou
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuzhen Ouyang
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sheng Liao
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Liang
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingling Zhao
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunyuan Chen
- Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Martín-Escolano R, Yiangou L, Kazana E, Robinson GK, Michaelis M, Tsaousis AD. Repurposing in vitro approaches for screening anti-parasitic drugs against the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 17:204-212. [PMID: 34875573 PMCID: PMC8652063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is both a pathogenic and a free-living microbial eukaryote, responsible for the development of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans. PAM is a rapid, severe and fatal underestimated infectious disease, which has been reported in countries with warmer climates. The major drawbacks with PAM are the lack of effective therapies and delay in diagnosis. The current frontline treatment presents a low rate of recovery (5%) and severe adverse effects. For example, many drug candidates lack efficacy, since they do not effectively cross the blood-brain-barrier. Consequently, more effective drugs are urgently needed. Herein, we report a new in vitro method suitable for medium- and high-throughput drug discovery assays, using the closely related Naegleria gruberi as a model. We have subsequently used this method to screen a library of 1175 Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs. As a result, we present three drugs (camptothecin, pyrimethamine, and terbinafine) that can be repurposed, and are anticipated to readily cross the blood-brain-barrier with activity against Naegleria species in therapeutically achievable concentrations. Successively, we integrated several in vitro assays that resulted in identifying fast-acting and high amoebicidal drugs. In conclusion, we present a new approach for the identification of anti-Naegleria drugs along with three potential drug candidates for further development for the treatment of PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Lyto Yiangou
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Eleanna Kazana
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Gary K Robinson
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK.
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14
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Joseph SJ, Park S, Kelley A, Roy S, Cope JR, Ali IKM. Comparative Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Naegleria fowleri Clinical and Environmental Isolates. mSphere 2021; 6:e0063721. [PMID: 34378985 PMCID: PMC8386437 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00637-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Out of over 40 species of Naegleria, which are free-living thermophilic amebae found in freshwater and soil worldwide, only Naegleria fowleri infects humans, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a typically fatal brain disease. To understand the population structure of Naegleria species and the genetic relationships between N. fowleri isolates and to detect pathogenic factors, we characterized 52 novel clinical and environmental N. fowleri genomes and a single Naegleria lovaniensis strain, along with transcriptomic data for a subset of 37 N. fowleri isolates. Whole-genome analysis of 56 isolates from three Naegleria species (N. fowleri, N. lovaniensis, and Naegleria gruberi) identified several genes unique to N. fowleri that have previously been linked to the pathogenicity of N. fowleri, while other unique genes could be associated with novel pathogenicity factors in this highly fatal pathogen. Population structure analysis estimated the presence of 10 populations within the three Naegleria species, of which 7 populations were within N. fowleri. The whole-nuclear-genome (WNG) phylogenetic analysis showed an overall geographical clustering of N. fowleri isolates, with few exceptions, and provided higher resolution in identifying potential clusters of isolates beyond that of the traditional locus typing. There were only 34 genes that showed significant differences in gene expression between the clinical and environmental isolates. Genomic data generated in this study can be used for developing rapid molecular assays and to conduct future population-based global genomic analysis and will also be a valuable addition to genomic reference databases, where shotgun metagenomics data from routine water samples could be searched for the presence of N. fowleri strains. IMPORTANCE N. fowleri, the only known Naegleria species to infect humans, causes fatal brain disease. PAM cases from 1965 to 2016 showed <20 cases per year globally. Out of approximately 150 cases in North America since 1962, only four PAM survivors are known, yielding a >97% case fatality rate, which is critically high. Although the pathogenesis of N. fowleri has been studied for the last 50 years, pathogenetic factors that lead to human infection and breaching the blood-brain barrier remain unknown. In addition, little is known regarding the genomic diversity both within N. fowleri isolates and among Naegleria species. In this study, we generated novel genome sequences and performed comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of a set of 52 N. fowleri draft genome sequences from clinical and environmental isolates derived from all over the world in the last 53 years, which will help shape future genome-wide studies and develop sensitive assays for routine surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep J. Joseph
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Subin Park
- Eagle Medical Services, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Shantanu Roy
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Cope
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ibne Karim M. Ali
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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15
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Herman EK, Greninger A, van der Giezen M, Ginger ML, Ramirez-Macias I, Miller HC, Morgan MJ, Tsaousis AD, Velle K, Vargová R, Záhonová K, Najle SR, MacIntyre G, Muller N, Wittwer M, Zysset-Burri DC, Eliáš M, Slamovits CH, Weirauch MT, Fritz-Laylin L, Marciano-Cabral F, Puzon GJ, Walsh T, Chiu C, Dacks JB. Genomics and transcriptomics yields a system-level view of the biology of the pathogen Naegleria fowleri. BMC Biol 2021; 19:142. [PMID: 34294116 PMCID: PMC8296547 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01078-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The opportunistic pathogen Naegleria fowleri establishes infection in the human brain, killing almost invariably within 2 weeks. The amoeba performs piece-meal ingestion, or trogocytosis, of brain material causing direct tissue damage and massive inflammation. The cellular basis distinguishing N. fowleri from other Naegleria species, which are all non-pathogenic, is not known. Yet, with the geographic range of N. fowleri advancing, potentially due to climate change, understanding how this pathogen invades and kills is both important and timely. RESULTS Here, we report an -omics approach to understanding N. fowleri biology and infection at the system level. We sequenced two new strains of N. fowleri and performed a transcriptomic analysis of low- versus high-pathogenicity N. fowleri cultured in a mouse infection model. Comparative analysis provides an in-depth assessment of encoded protein complement between strains, finding high conservation. Molecular evolutionary analyses of multiple diverse cellular systems demonstrate that the N. fowleri genome encodes a similarly complete cellular repertoire to that found in free-living N. gruberi. From transcriptomics, neither stress responses nor traits conferred from lateral gene transfer are suggested as critical for pathogenicity. By contrast, cellular systems such as proteases, lysosomal machinery, and motility, together with metabolic reprogramming and novel N. fowleri proteins, are all implicated in facilitating pathogenicity within the host. Upregulation in mouse-passaged N. fowleri of genes associated with glutamate metabolism and ammonia transport suggests adaptation to available carbon sources in the central nervous system. CONCLUSIONS In-depth analysis of Naegleria genomes and transcriptomes provides a model of cellular systems involved in opportunistic pathogenicity, uncovering new angles to understanding the biology of a rare but highly fatal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Herman
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Alex Greninger
- Laboratory Medicine and Medicine / Infectious Diseases, UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center, UCSF Clinical Microbiology Laboratory UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Montlake, USA
| | - Mark van der Giezen
- Centre for Organelle Research, Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Michael L Ginger
- School of Applied Sciences, Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Inmaculada Ramirez-Macias
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca. Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria. Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Haylea C Miller
- CSIRO Land and Water, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Private Bag No.5, Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia
- CSIRO, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, Environomics Future Science Platform, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Matthew J Morgan
- CSIRO Land and Water, Black Mountain Laboratories, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Katrina Velle
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UK
| | - Romana Vargová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sebastian Rodrigo Najle
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (UPF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Georgina MacIntyre
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Norbert Muller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mattias Wittwer
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Denise C Zysset-Burri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marek Eliáš
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Claudio H Slamovits
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology and Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | | | - Francine Marciano-Cabral
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Geoffrey J Puzon
- CSIRO Land and Water, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Private Bag No.5, Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia
| | - Tom Walsh
- CSIRO Land and Water, Black Mountain Laboratories, Canberra, Australia
| | - Charles Chiu
- Laboratory Medicine and Medicine / Infectious Diseases, UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center, UCSF Clinical Microbiology Laboratory UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, USA
| | - Joel B Dacks
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK.
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Abstract
Objectives YouTube is the second most visited website in the world and can be a useful resource for patients to gain insight into surgical procedures. A multitude of studies have evaluated the quality of otolaryngology-specific healthcare information available on the YouTube platform, but to our knowledge, the online content regarding functional endoscopic sinus surgery available on this site has not been systematically evaluated. Study Design Cross sectional study. Setting Online. Methods YouTube was searched using the keywords “sinus surgery.” Variables including video length, total number of views, authorship (academic, private practice physician, patient, or third party), objective (advertisement, informative, or patient perspective), inclusion of intra-operative footage, and discussion of balloon sinuplasty were recorded and analyzed by a single reviewer. Results Two-hundred twenty-two videos met inclusion criteria, with a median length of 4 minutes, and a median of 3349 views. The majority of videos were informative (n = 145, 65%), narrated (n = 151, 68%), and did not mention balloon sinuplasty (n = 189, 85%) nor contain intra-operative footage (n = 116, 52%). Private practice physicians were the most common authors (n = 113, 51%), followed by patients (n = 70, 32%), third parties (n = 28, 13%) and academics (n = 11, 5%). Conclusions Sinus surgery is one of the most common ambulatory procedures performed. Online resources such as YouTube can be useful for improving health literacy and patient comfort with medical topics such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery, but it is important for clinicians and patients to understand that there is a spectrum in the authorship, content, and quality of sinus surgery related videos posted online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Uyesugi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Shannon Moldowan
- Department of Biostatistics - Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Keighly Bradbrook
- Department of Biostatistics - Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Theodore Schuman
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
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17
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Maciver SK, McLaughlin PJ, Apps DK, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Opinion: Iron, Climate Change and the ‘Brain Eating Amoeba’ Naegleria fowleri. Protist 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2020.125791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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18
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Saetta D, Richard R, Leyva C, Westerhoff P, Boyer TH. Data‐mining methods predict chlorine residuals in premise plumbing using low‐cost sensors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/aws2.1214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Saetta
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
| | - Rain Richard
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
| | - Carlos Leyva
- ASU Future H2O Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
| | - Treavor H. Boyer
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
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Abstract
Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis has a subacute-to-chronic course and is almost invariably fatal owing to delayed diagnosis and a lack of effective therapy. Here, we report a 13-year-old girl with cutaneous lesions and multifocal granulomatous encephalitis. The patient underwent a series of tests and was suspected as having tuberculosis. She was treated with various empiric therapies without improvement. She was finally correctly diagnosed via next-generation sequencing of the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient deteriorated rapidly and died 2 months after being diagnosed with Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis. This study highlights the important clinical significance of next-generation sequencing, which provides better diagnostic testing for unexplained paediatric encephalitis, especially that caused by rare or emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Gangfeng Yan
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuzhen Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingzi Ye
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xunjia Cheng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hairong Gong
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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20
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Wilson MJ, Aw TG, Sherchan S, Wickliffe J, Murphy SA. The Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness Impacts of Hurricane Katrina. Am J Public Health 2020; 110:1476-1477. [PMID: 32903082 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2020.305819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Wilson
- Mark J. Wilson, Tiong G. Aw, Samendra Sherchan, Jeffrey Wickliffe, and Stephen A. Murphy are with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Tiong G Aw
- Mark J. Wilson, Tiong G. Aw, Samendra Sherchan, Jeffrey Wickliffe, and Stephen A. Murphy are with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Samendra Sherchan
- Mark J. Wilson, Tiong G. Aw, Samendra Sherchan, Jeffrey Wickliffe, and Stephen A. Murphy are with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Jeffrey Wickliffe
- Mark J. Wilson, Tiong G. Aw, Samendra Sherchan, Jeffrey Wickliffe, and Stephen A. Murphy are with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Stephen A Murphy
- Mark J. Wilson, Tiong G. Aw, Samendra Sherchan, Jeffrey Wickliffe, and Stephen A. Murphy are with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
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21
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Rice CA, Colon BL, Chen E, Hull MV, Kyle DE. Discovery of repurposing drug candidates for the treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic free-living amoebae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008353. [PMID: 32970675 PMCID: PMC7546510 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by pathogenic free-living amoebae include primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (Naegleria fowleri), granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (Acanthamoeba spp.), Acanthamoeba keratitis, and Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (Balamuthia mandrillaris). Each of these are difficult to treat and have high morbidity and mortality rates due to lack of effective therapeutics. Since repurposing drugs is an ideal strategy for orphan diseases, we conducted a high throughput phenotypic screen of 12,000 compounds from the Calibr ReFRAME library. We discovered a total of 58 potent inhibitors (IC50 <1 μM) against N. fowleri (n = 19), A. castellanii (n = 12), and B. mandrillaris (n = 27) plus an additional 90 micromolar inhibitors. Of these, 113 inhibitors have never been reported to have activity against Naegleria, Acanthamoeba or Balamuthia. Rapid onset of action is important for new anti-amoeba drugs and we identified 19 compounds that inhibit N. fowleri in vitro within 24 hours (halofuginone, NVP-HSP990, fumagillin, bardoxolone, belaronib, and BPH-942, solithromycin, nitracrine, quisinostat, pabinostat, pracinostat, dacinostat, fimepinostat, sanguinarium, radicicol, acriflavine, REP3132, BC-3205 and PF-4287881). These compounds inhibit N. fowleri in vitro faster than any of the drugs currently used for chemotherapy. The results of these studies demonstrate the utility of phenotypic screens for discovery of new drugs for pathogenic free-living amoebae, including Acanthamoeba for the first time. Given that many of the repurposed drugs have known mechanisms of action, these compounds can be used to validate new targets for structure-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Rice
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CAR); (DEK)
| | - Beatrice L. Colon
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Emily Chen
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Mitchell V. Hull
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CAR); (DEK)
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Hawkins SJ, Struthers JD, Phair K, Ali IKM, Roy S, Mull B, West G. Diagnostic evaluation of fatal Balamuthia mandrillaris meningoencephalitis in a captive Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) with identification of potential environmental source and evidence of chronic exposure. Primates 2021; 62:51-61. [PMID: 32920664 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-020-00860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A female Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) aged 11 years and 6 months was examined by veterinarians after caretakers observed lethargy and facial grimacing. Within 72 h the primate had left-sided hemiparesis that worsened over the next week. An MRI revealed a focal right-sided cerebral mass suspected to be a neoplasm. Ten days after onset of clinical signs, the orangutan died. On postmortem exam, the medial right parietal lobe was replaced by a 7 × 4 × 3.5 cm focus of neuromalacia and hemorrhage that displaced the lateral ventricle and abutted the corpus callosum. Histopathology of the cerebral lesion revealed pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis with intralesional amoeba trophozoites and rare cysts. Fresh parietal lobe was submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab for multiplex free-living amoebae real-time PCR and detected Balamuthia mandrillaris DNA at a high burden. Mitochondrial DNA was sequenced, and a 760-bp locus 19443F/20251R was compared to several human infections of B. mandrillaris and shown to be identical to the isolates from four human cases of encephalitis: 1998 in Australia, 1999 in California, 2000 in New York, and 2010 in Arizona. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing of stored serum samples indicated exposure to B. mandrillaris for at least 2 years prior to death. Within 1 week of the orangutan's death, water from the exhibit was analyzed and identified the presence of B. mandrillaris DNA, elucidating a possible source of exposure. B. mandrillaris, first reported in a mandrill in 1986, has since occurred in humans and animals and is now considered an important emerging pathogen.
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Yaw TJ, O'Neil P, Gary JM, Ali IK, Cowart JR, Wallace RS, Estep JS. Primary amebic meningoencephalomyelitis caused by Naegleria fowleri in a south-central black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis minor). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2020; 255:219-223. [PMID: 31260399 DOI: 10.2460/javma.255.2.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION A 20-year-old female south-central black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) was evaluated because of an acute onset of CNS deficits. CLINICAL FINDINGS The rhinoceros had no history of illness. Clinical signs included acute lethargy, ataxia, and decreased appetite. Hematologic abnormalities included leukocytosis with neutrophilia and a profound left shift. Results of serum biochemical analysis revealed hypophosphatemia but no other abnormalities. Results of a quantitative PCR assay for West Nile virus and an assay for anti-Neosporum caninum antibodies in serum were negative; the patient was seropositive for multiple Leptospira serovars. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents were administered, but the condition of the rhinoceros worsened overnight; despite treatment with additional anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents, IV fluids, and thiamine, it became obtunded and died of respiratory arrest ≤ 24 hours later. Necropsy revealed severe, diffuse, suppurative, and histiocytic meningo-encephalomyelitis involving the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord. Amebic trophozoites were observed on histologic examination of affected tissue. Infection with Naegleria fowleri was confirmed by results of immuno-histochemical analysis and a multiplex real-time PCR assay. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that south-central black rhinoceros are susceptible to the free-living ameba N fowleri. Ameba-induced meningoencephalomyelitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for rhinoceros that have an acute onset of neurologic signs. Diagnosis of N fowleri infection in an animal has a profound public health impact because of potential human exposure from the environment and the high fatality rate in people with N fowleri infection.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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26
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Karim AM, Yasir M, Ullah I, Lee JH, Lee SH. Important factors causing high fatal cases of Naegleria fowleri primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Pakistan. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 97:230-232. [PMID: 32497800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Asad Mustafa Karim
- National Leading Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Myongji University, 116 Myongjiro, Yongin, Gyeonggido 17058, South Korea; Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yasir
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jung Hun Lee
- National Leading Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Myongji University, 116 Myongjiro, Yongin, Gyeonggido 17058, South Korea
| | - Sang Hee Lee
- National Leading Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Myongji University, 116 Myongjiro, Yongin, Gyeonggido 17058, South Korea.
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Abstract
We present the first reported case of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial meningitis that may be associated with use of an over-the-counter sinus irrigation. Sinus rinse or “Neti Pot” use is a common remedy for sinus congestion and is felt to be relatively safe. Given its widespread use, it is important to report possible associations with disease, in this case Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. A 50-year-old male with a history of sinusitis presented to the emergency department with a headache and altered mental status and was ultimately diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis and sepsis. He had been using over-the-counter sinus rinses several times daily with distilled water. The patient had no radiographic evidence of contiguous spread or traumatic injury that would make him susceptible to direct cerebrospinal fluid infection. Inquiring about sinus irrigation use should be considered in patients with suspected meningitis. Emergency clinicians must consider meningitis in patients with Neti Pot use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey Wittkopp
- Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, USA
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El-badry AA, Aufy SM, El-wakil ES, Rizk EM, Mahmoud SS, Taha NY. First identification of Naegleria species and Vahlkampfia ciguana in Nile water, Cairo, Egypt: Seasonal morphology and phylogenetic analysis. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection 2020; 53:259-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Isaac TS, Sherchan SP. Molecular detection of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens in rural Louisiana's drinking water distribution system. Environ Res 2020; 181:108847. [PMID: 31740037 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) in drinking water distribution systems are responsible for causing numerous infections such as Legionnaires' disease and pneumonia through the consumption of contaminated drinking water. The incidence of opportunistic pathogens and the number of individuals at risk of contracting infections caused by these OPPPs in drinking water has risen drastically in the past decade. Preflush and postflush water samples were collected from 64 houses in a rural town in northeast Louisiana to determine drinking water quality in terms of understanding abiotic and biotic factors on potential proliferation of OPPPs. Physical and chemical water quality parameters, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and specific conductance were also measured. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results indicated that Legionella spp. had the highest prevalence and was found in 46/64 samples (72%), followed by Mycobacterium spp. which was found in 43/64 samples (67%), E. coli in 31/64 samples (48%) and, Naegleria fowleri in 4/64 samples (6%) respectively. The results indicate the persistence of Legionella spp. DNA marker in these water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya S Isaac
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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30
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Sazzad HMS, Luby SP, Sejvar J, Rahman M, Gurley ES, Hill V, Murphy JL, Roy S, Cope JR, Ali IKM. A case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri in Bangladesh. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:339-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06463-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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31
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Cope JR, Murphy J, Kahler A, Gorbett DG, Ali I, Taylor B, Corbitt L, Roy S, Lee N, Roellig D, Brewer S, Hill VR. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Associated With Rafting on an Artificial Whitewater River: Case Report and Environmental Investigation. Clin Infect Dis 2019; 66:548-553. [PMID: 29401275 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic ameba found in freshwater that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when it enters the nose and migrates to the brain. Patient exposure to water containing the ameba typically occurs in warm freshwater lakes and ponds during recreational water activities. In June 2016, an 18-year-old woman died of PAM after traveling to North Carolina, where she participated in rafting on an artificial whitewater river. Methods We conducted an epidemiologic and environmental investigation to determine the water exposure that led to the death of this patient. Results The case patient's most probable water exposure occurred while rafting on an artificial whitewater river during which she was thrown out of the raft and submerged underwater. The approximately 11.5 million gallons of water in the whitewater facility were partially filtered, subjected to ultraviolet light treatment, and occasionally chlorinated. Heavy algal growth was noted. Eleven water-related samples were collected from the facility; all were positive for N. fowleri. Of 5 samples collected from the nearby natural river, 1 sediment sample was positive for N. fowleri. Conclusions This investigation documents a novel exposure to an artificial whitewater river as the likely exposure causing PAM in this case. Conditions in the whitewater facility (warm, turbid water with little chlorine and heavy algal growth) rendered the water treatment ineffective and provided an ideal environment for N. fowleri to thrive. The combination of natural and engineered elements at the whitewater facility created a challenging environment to control the growth of N. fowleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Cope
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amy Kahler
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Ibne Ali
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Lisa Corbitt
- Mecklenburg County Health Department, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Shantanu Roy
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nicole Lee
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh
| | - Dawn Roellig
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Vincent R Hill
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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32
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Husain Q, Banks C, Woodworth BA, Bleier BS. Lightening in a bottle: comparison of ultraviolet light to traditional sterilization in saline irrigations bottles. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2019; 10:53-58. [DOI: 10.1002/alr.22457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qasim Husain
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryHarvard Medical School Boston MA
| | - Catherine Banks
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryHarvard Medical School Boston MA
| | | | - Benjamin S. Bleier
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryHarvard Medical School Boston MA
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Cope JR, Kahler AM, Causey J, Williams JG, Kihlken J, Benjamin C, Ames AP, Forsman J, Zhu Y, Yoder JS, Seidel CJ, Hill VR. Response and remediation actions following the detection of Naegleria fowleri in two treated drinking water distribution systems, Louisiana, 2013-2014. J Water Health 2019; 17:777-787. [PMID: 31638028 PMCID: PMC7075671 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2019.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri causes the usually fatal disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), typically in people who have been swimming in warm, untreated freshwater. Recently, some cases in the United States were associated with exposure to treated drinking water. In 2013, a case of PAM was reported for the first time in association with the exposure to water from a US treated drinking water system colonized with culturable N. fowleri. This system and another were found to have multiple areas with undetectable disinfectant residual levels. In response, the water distribution systems were temporarily converted from chloramine disinfection to chlorine to inactivate N. fowleri and reduced biofilm in the distribution systems. Once >1.0 mg/L free chlorine residual was attained in all systems for 60 days, water testing was performed; N. fowleri was not detected in water samples after the chlorine conversion. This investigation highlights the importance of maintaining adequate residual disinfectant levels in drinking water distribution systems. Water distribution system managers should be knowledgeable about the ecology of their systems, understand potential water quality changes when water temperatures increase, and work to eliminate areas in which biofilm growth may be problematic and affect water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Cope
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA E-mail:
| | - Amy M Kahler
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA E-mail:
| | - Jake Causey
- Corona Environmental Consulting, 1001 Hingham St, Suite 102, Rockland, MA 02370, USA
| | - John G Williams
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Jennifer Kihlken
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Caryn Benjamin
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Amanda P Ames
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Johan Forsman
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Yuanda Zhu
- Louisiana Department of Health, 628 North 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
| | - Jonathan S Yoder
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA E-mail:
| | - Chad J Seidel
- Corona Environmental Consulting, 1001 Hingham St, Suite 102, Rockland, MA 02370, USA
| | - Vincent R Hill
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA E-mail:
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Ruszkiewicz JA, Tinkov AA, Skalny AV, Siokas V, Dardiotis E, Tsatsakis A, Bowman AB, da Rocha JBT, Aschner M. Brain diseases in changing climate. Environ Res 2019; 177:108637. [PMID: 31416010 PMCID: PMC6717544 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is one of the biggest and most urgent challenges for the 21st century. Rising average temperatures and ocean levels, altered precipitation patterns and increased occurrence of extreme weather events affect not only the global landscape and ecosystem, but also human health. Multiple environmental factors influence the onset and severity of human diseases and changing climate may have a great impact on these factors. Climate shifts disrupt the quantity and quality of water, increase environmental pollution, change the distribution of pathogens and severely impacts food production - all of which are important regarding public health. This paper focuses on brain health and provides an overview of climate change impacts on risk factors specific to brain diseases and disorders. We also discuss emerging hazards in brain health due to mitigation and adaptation strategies in response to climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna A Ruszkiewicz
- Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia; IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia; IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Trace Element Institute for UNESCO, Lyon, France
| | - Vasileios Siokas
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aaron B Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - João B T da Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
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Rasheduzzaman M, Singh R, Haas C, Tolofari D, Yassaghi H, Hamilton K, Yang Z, Gurian P. Reverse QMRA as a Decision Support Tool: Setting Acceptable Concentration Limits for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Naegleria fowleri. Water 2019; 11:1850. [DOI: 10.3390/w11091850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Naegleria fowleri are a growing concern in building water systems because of their potential risks to human health. The aim of this study was to determine the critical concentrations of P. aeruginosa and N. fowleri in water that are associated with meaningful public health risks. To determine these concentrations, a reverse quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was conducted. Environmental concentrations of P. aeruginosa and N. fowleri corresponding to the risk target of one micro-disability-adjusted life year (DALY) per person per year and 10−4 annual risks of illness were calculated for several applicable exposure scenarios. To calculate the concentration of P. aeruginosa, cleaning contact lenses with potentially contaminated tap water in the absence of an appropriate cleaning solution was considered. For N. fowleri, two exposure scenarios, recreational exposure (swimming) and nasal cleansing (via the use of a neti pot™ or similar device) were considered. The highest critical concentration for P. aeruginosa was found to be 33 CFU/L with a 95% confidence interval of (2.0, 118) for the drop exposure scenario using the 10−4 annual risk target. For N. fowleri, based on the DALY approach, critical concentrations were 0.000030 N. fowleri/L for swimming and 0.00000060 N. fowleri/L for neti pot™ use scenario. Considering heat inactivation, the critical concentration limits for P. aeruginosa using the DALY approach and the 10−4 annual risk target approach were found to be 0.55 CFU/L and 55 CFU/L, respectively. For N. fowleri, the 10−4 annual risk target approach resulted in 0.022 N. fowleri/L and the DALY approach resulted in 0.00000064 N. fowleri/L for the neti pot™ scenario. For P. aeruginosa, N50 (the median infective dose) and alpha (α) contributed the most and contact rates the least to the variability and uncertainty of the estimates for all the scenarios. For N. fowleri, N50 and contact rates contributed the most and α the least to the variability and uncertainty to calculate the concentrations for all the scenarios. The QMRA framework implemented in this research can be used to incorporate more information regarding opportunistic pathogens to inform management decisions, and to prioritize the best interventions regarding estimated reduction in infections caused by opportunistic pathogens.
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Mungroo MR, Anwar A, Khan NA, Siddiqui R. Brain-eating Amoebae Infection: Challenges and Opportunities in Chemotherapy. Mini Rev Med Chem 2019; 19:980-987. [PMID: 30868950 DOI: 10.2174/1389557519666190313161854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic free-living amoeba are known to cause a devastating infection of the central nervous system and are often referred to as "brain-eating amoebae". The mortality rate of more than 90% and free-living nature of these amoebae is a cause for concern. It is distressing that the mortality rate has remained the same over the past few decades, highlighting the lack of interest by the pharmaceutical industry. With the threat of global warming and increased outdoor activities of public, there is a need for renewed interest in identifying potential anti-amoebic compounds for successful prognosis. Here, we discuss the available chemotherapeutic options and opportunities for potential strategies in the treatment and diagnosis of these life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
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38
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Shaheen M, Scott C, Ashbolt NJ. Long-term persistence of infectious Legionella with free-living amoebae in drinking water biofilms. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:678-86. [PMID: 31036480 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Prolific growth of pathogenic Legionella pneumophila within engineered water systems and premise plumbing, and human exposure to aerosols containing this bacterium results in the leading health burden of any water-related pathogen in developed regions. Ecologically, free-living amoebae (FLA) are an important group of the microbial community that influence biofilm bacterial diversity in the piped-water environment. Using fluorescent microscopy, we studied in-situ the colonization of L. pneumophila in the presence of two water-related FLA species, Willaertia magna and Acanthamoeba polyphaga in drinking water biofilms. During water flow as well as after periods of long-stagnation, the attachment and colonization of L. pneumophila to predeveloped water-biofilm was limited. Furthermore, W. magna and A. polyphaga showed no immediate interactions with L. pneumophila when introduced to the same natural biofilm environment. A. polyphaga encysted within 5-7 d after introduction to the tap-water biofilms and mostly persisted in cysts till the end of the study period (850 d). W. magna trophozoites, however, exhibited a time delay in feeding on Legionella and were observed with internalized L. pneumophila cells after 3 weeks from their introduction to the end of the study period and supported putative (yet limited) intracellular growth. The culturable L.pneumophila in the bulk water was reduced by 2-log over 2 years at room temperature but increased (without a change in mip gene copies by qPCR) when the temperature was elevated to 40 °C within the same closed-loop tap-water system without the addition of nutrients or fresh water. The overall results suggest that L. pneumophila maintains an ecological balance with FLA within the biofilm environment, and higher temperature improve the viability of L. pneumophila cells, and intracellular growth of Legionella is possibly cell-concentration dependent. Observing the preferential feeding behavior, we hypothesize that an initial increase of FLA numbers through feeding on a range of other available bacteria could lead to an enrichment of L. pneumophila, and later force predation of Legionella by the amoeba trophozoites results in rapid intracellular replication, leading to problematic concentration of L. pneumophila in water. In order to find sustainable control options for legionellae and various other saprozoic, amoeba-resisting bacterial pathogens, this work emphasizes the need for better understanding of the FLA feeding behavior and the range of ecological interactions impacting microbial population dynamics within engineered water systems.
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Abstract
The free-living amoebae are thermophilic organisms that may play an increasing role among diseases of a warming world. They are uncommon, accidental, yet high consequence pathogens, with differing pathologic syndromes. New prospects for diagnosis and life-saving treatment make early disease recognition imperative. We review the three most commonly diagnosed species that infect humans: Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba species, and Balamuthia mandrillaris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra G. Gompf
- James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., 33612, Tampa, FL, United States
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, United States
| | - Cristina Garcia
- James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., 33612, Tampa, FL, United States
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, United States
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Abstract
This study develops novel dose-response models for Naegleria fowleri from selected peer-reviewed experiments on the virulence based on the intranasal exposure pathway. One data set measured the response of mice intranasally inoculated with the amebae and the other study addressed the response of mice swimming in N. fowleri infected water. The measured response for both studies was death. All experimental data were best fit by the beta-Poisson dose-response model. The three swimming experiments could be pooled, and this is the final recommended model with an LD50 of 13,257 amebae. The results of this study provide a better estimate of the probability of the risk to N. fowleri exposure than the previous models developed based on an intravenous exposure. An accurate dose-response model is the first step in quantifying the risk of free-living amebae like N. fowleri, which pose risks in recreational environments and have been detected in drinking water and premise plumbing systems. A better understanding of this risk will allow for risk management that limits the ability for pathogen growth, proliferation, and exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Dean
- College of Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Mark H Weir
- Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jade Mitchell
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA E-mail:
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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Miller HC, Morgan MJ, Walsh T, Wylie JT, Kaksonen AH, Puzon GJ. Preferential feeding in Naegleria fowleri; intracellular bacteria isolated from amoebae in operational drinking water distribution systems. Water Res 2018; 141:126-134. [PMID: 29783165 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The amoeba Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of the highly fatal disease, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, and estimated to cause 16 deaths per year in the United States alone. Colonisation of drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) by the N. fowleri is a significant public health issue. Understanding the factors which enable this pathogen to colonise and thrive in DWDSs is critical for proper management. The microbial ecology within DWDSs may influence the ability of N. fowleri to colonise DWDSs by facilitating the availability of an appropriate food source. Using biofilm samples obtained from operational DWDSs, 16S rRNA amplicon metabarcoding was combined with genus-specific PCR and Sanger sequencing of intracellular associated bacteria from isolated amoeba and their parental biofilms to identify Meiothermus chliarophilus as a potential food source for N. fowleri. Meiothermus was confirmed as a food source for N. fowleri following successful serial culturing of axenic N. fowleri with M. chliarophilus or M. ruber as the sole food source. The ability to identify environmental and ecological conditions favourable to N. fowleri colonisation, including the detection of appropriate food sources such as Meiothermus, could provide water utilities with a predictive tool for managing N. fowleri colonisation within the DWDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haylea C Miller
- CSIRO Land and Water, Private Bag No.5, Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Matthew J Morgan
- CSIRO Land and Water, Black Mountain Laboratories, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Tom Walsh
- CSIRO Land and Water, Black Mountain Laboratories, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Jason T Wylie
- CSIRO Land and Water, Private Bag No.5, Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia
| | - Anna H Kaksonen
- CSIRO Land and Water, Private Bag No.5, Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Geoffrey J Puzon
- CSIRO Land and Water, Private Bag No.5, Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia.
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Taravaud A, Ali M, Lafosse B, Nicolas V, Féliers C, Thibert S, Lévi Y, Loiseau PM, Pomel S. Enrichment of free-living amoebae in biofilms developed at upper water levels in drinking water storage towers: An inter- and intra-seasonal study. Sci Total Environ 2018; 633:157-166. [PMID: 29573682 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous organisms present in various natural and artificial environments, such as drinking water storage towers (DWST). Some FLA, such as Acanthamoeba sp., Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris, can cause severe infections at ocular or cerebral level in addition to being potential reservoirs of other pathogens. In this work, the abundance and diversity of FLA was evaluated in two sampling campaigns: one performed over five seasons in three DWST at three different levels (surface, middle and bottom) in water and biofilm using microscopy and PCR, and one based on the kinetics analysis in phase contrast and confocal microscopy of biofilm samples collected every two weeks during a 3-month period at the surface and at the bottom of a DWST. In the seasonal study, the FLA were detected in each DWST water in densities of ~20 to 25amoebaeL-1. A seasonal variation of amoeba distribution was observed in water samples, with maximal densities in summer at ~30amoebaeL-1 and minimal densities in winter at ~16amoebaeL-1. The FLA belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba were detected in two spring sampling campaigns, suggesting a possible seasonal appearance of this potentially pathogenic amoeba. Interestingly, a 1 log increase of amoebae density was observed in biofilm samples collected at the surface of all DWST compared to the middle and the bottom where FLA were at 0.1-0.2amoebae/cm2. In the kinetics study, an increase of amoebae density, total cell density, and biofilm thickness was observed as a function of time at the surface of the DWST, but not at the bottom. To our knowledge, this study describes for the first time a marked higher FLA density in biofilms collected at upper water levels in DWST, constituting a potential source of pathogenic micro-organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Taravaud
- Chimiothérapie Antiparasitaire, UMR CNRS 8076, BioCIS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Myriam Ali
- Chimiothérapie Antiparasitaire, UMR CNRS 8076, BioCIS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Bernard Lafosse
- Véolia Eau-Compagnie Générale des Eaux, 2 avenue Guynemer, 94600 Choisy-Le-Roi, France
| | - Valérie Nicolas
- UMS IPSIT, Plate-Forme D'imagerie Cellulaire, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Cédric Féliers
- Véolia Eau d'Île de France, Le Vermont, 28 boulevard de Pesaro, 92751 Nanterre, France
| | - Sylvie Thibert
- Syndicat des Eaux d'Île de France, 120 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Yves Lévi
- Groupe Santé Publique et Environnement, UMR CNRS 8079 Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Philippe M Loiseau
- Chimiothérapie Antiparasitaire, UMR CNRS 8076, BioCIS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- Chimiothérapie Antiparasitaire, UMR CNRS 8076, BioCIS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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Li H, Li S, Tang W, Yang Y, Zhao J, Xia S, Zhang W, Wang H. Influence of secondary water supply systems on microbial community structure and opportunistic pathogen gene markers. Water Res 2018; 136:160-168. [PMID: 29501760 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) refer to the in-building infrastructures (e.g., water storage tanks) used to supply water pressure beyond the main distribution systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of SWSSs on microbial community structure and the occurrence of opportunistic pathogens, the latter of which are an emerging public health concern. Higher numbers of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, Legionella and mycobacterial gene markers were found in public building taps served by SWSSs relative to the mains, regardless of the flushing practice (P < 0.05). In residential buildings, genes of L. pneumomhila, Acanthamoeba and Vermamoeba vermiformis were primarily detected in tanks and taps compared to the mains. Long water retention time, warm temperature and loss of disinfectant residuals promoted microbial growth and colonization of potential pathogens in SWSSs. Varied levels of microbial community shifts were found in different types of SWSSs during water transportation from the distribution main to taps, highlighting the critical role of SWSSs in shaping the drinking water microbiota. Overall, the results provided insight to factors that might aid in controlling pathogen proliferation in real-world water systems using SWSSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji University Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jianfu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Weixian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW International travel, adventure travel, and eco-tourism are increasing over the past few decades. This review aims to summarize the spectrum of infections associated with recreational freshwater activities and international travel. RECENT FINDINGS Recreational water activities can be associated with a wide range of infections. Acute febrile illnesses due to leptospirosis and schistosomiasis are not uncommon in travelers following extensive freshwater exposure. Aeromonas and other water-associated pathogens are important to consider in a traveler presenting with a skin and soft tissue infection. Recreational water activities are often associated with diarrheal illnesses, especially in children, and the range of enteric pathogens includes bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shigella species and the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis. Infections due to free-living amebas though rare can lead to fulminant central nervous system infections. A diverse range of infections may be associated with freshwater exposure, and it is important that these entities are considered in a returning traveler presenting with an acute illness.
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Xue J, Lamar FG, Zhang B, Lin S, Lamori JG, Sherchan SP. Quantitative assessment of Naegleria fowleri and fecal indicator bacteria in brackish water of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. Sci Total Environ 2018; 622-623:8-16. [PMID: 29220778 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Brackish water samples from Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana were assessed for the presence of pathogenic amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). In our study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods were used to determine N. fowleri, E. coli, and enterococci in water collected from Lake Pontchartrain. N. fowleri target sequence was detected in 35.4% (56/158) of the water samples from ten sites around the lake. Statistically significant positive correlations between N. fowleri concentration and water temperature as well as E. coli (qPCR) were observed. Multiple linear regression (MLR) model shows seasonal factor (summer or winter) has significant effect on the concentration of N. fowleri, E. coli and enterococci (qPCR) concentration. Significant positive relationships between E. coli and enterococci was observed from both qPCR (r=0.25) and culture based method (r=0.54). Meanwhile, significant positive correlation between qPCR and culture based methods for enterococci concentration was observed (r=0.33). In our study, water temperature and E. coli concentration were indicative of N. fowleri concentrations in brackish water environment. Future research is needed to determine whether sediment is a source of N. fowleri found in the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xue
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Frederica G Lamar
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Bowen Zhang
- International Center for Climate and Global Change Research, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Siyu Lin
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jennifer G Lamori
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Bellini NK, Santos TM, da Silva MTA, Thiemann OH. The therapeutic strategies against Naegleria fowleri. Exp Parasitol 2018; 187:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Miller HC, Wylie JT, Kaksonen AH, Sutton D, Puzon GJ. Competition between Naegleria fowleri and Free Living Amoeba Colonizing Laboratory Scale and Operational Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:2549-2557. [PMID: 29390181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Free living amoebae (FLA), including pathogenic Naegleria fowleri, can colonize and grow within pipe wall biofilms of drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Studies on the interactions between various FLA species in biofilms are limited. Understanding the interaction between FLA and the broader biofilm ecology could help better predict DWDS susceptibility to N. fowleri colonization. The aim of this study was to determine if N. fowleri and other FLAs ( Naegleria, Vermamoeba, Willaertia, and Vahlkampfia spp.) cocolonize DWDS biofilm. FLAs commonly isolated from DWDSs ( N. fowleri, V. vermiformis, and N. lovaniensis) were introduced into laboratory-scale biomonitors to determine the impact of these amoebae on N. fowleri's presence and viability. Over 18 months, a single viable amoebae ( N. fowleri, N. lovaniensis, or V. vermiformis) was detected in each biofilm sample, with the exception of N. lovaniensis and N. fowleri, which briefly cocolonized biofilm following their coinoculation. The analysis of biofilm and bulk water samples from operational DWDSs revealed a similar lack of cocolonization with a single FLA detected in 99% ( n = 242) of samples. Interestingly, various Naegleria spp. did colonize the same DWDS locations but at different times. This knowledge furthers the understanding of ecological factors which enable N. fowleri to colonize and survive within operational DWDSs and could aid water utilities to control its occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haylea C Miller
- CSIRO Land and Water , Private Bag No. 5 , Wembley , Western Australia 6913 , Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences , University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Highway , Crawley , Western Australia 6009 , Australia
| | - Jason T Wylie
- CSIRO Land and Water , Private Bag No. 5 , Wembley , Western Australia 6913 , Australia
| | - Anna H Kaksonen
- CSIRO Land and Water , Private Bag No. 5 , Wembley , Western Australia 6913 , Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences , University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Highway , Crawley , Western Australia 6009 , Australia
| | - David Sutton
- School of Biomedical Sciences , University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Highway , Crawley , Western Australia 6009 , Australia
| | - Geoffrey J Puzon
- CSIRO Land and Water , Private Bag No. 5 , Wembley , Western Australia 6913 , Australia
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Ghanchi NK, Khan E, Khan A, Muhammad W, Malik FR, Zafar A. Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis Associated with Public Water Supply, Pakistan, 2014. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22:1835-7. [PMID: 27648572 PMCID: PMC5038392 DOI: 10.3201/eid2210.151236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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