| Distribution of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolates in the environment of Helwan University, Egypt |
| Paper ID : 1068-ISCHU |
| Authors |
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Heba Koteit Mohamed1, Shehata El-Sebae Elwoa *1, Ahmed Zakaria Al-Herrawy2 1Helwan University 2National Research Center |
| Abstract |
| Acanthamoeba species are free-living amoebae having a worldwide distribution. These amoebae can cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis in humans. They can produce proteases that are considered the virulence factors. Acanthamoeba can also harbor pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses. The objective of this study is to evaluate the presence of Acanthamoeba in the environment of Helwan University, Egypt. Six types of samples (tap water, irrigation water, wastewater, swabs from surfaces, soil and air) were collected, processed and cultured on non-nutrient agar. Positive plates for Acanthamoeba were subcultured, purified and amoebae were identified morphologically and confirmed by PCR using Acanthamoeba genus-specific primers. Obtained results declared that members of genus Acanthamoeba were detected in 91.7, 83.3, 54.2, 45.8, 12.5 and 12.5% of irrigation water, soil, swabs, wastewater, tap water and air samples, respectively. The morphologically identified Acanthamoeba species proved to be related to genus Acanthamoeba when tested by PCR. Statistically, the sampling source had a strong significant correlation on the prevalence of Acanthamoeba. The highest appearance of Acanthamoeba was recorded in spring season for samples from irrigation water, soil and swabs from surfaces. In conclusion, the high prevalence of Acanthamoeba species in irrigation water and soil exert public health hazards to students and workers in Helwan University. |
| Keywords |
| Acanthamoeba, Environment, Helwan University, Egypt |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |