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Global prevalence of free-living amoebae in solid matrices - A systematic review with meta-analysis.Acta Tropica Nov 2023The ubiquitous free-living amoebae (FLA) are microorganisms of significant medical, sanitary, and ecological importance. However, their characterization within solid... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The ubiquitous free-living amoebae (FLA) are microorganisms of significant medical, sanitary, and ecological importance. However, their characterization within solid matrices such as soil, dust, sediment, mud, sludge, and compost remain to be systematized. In this study, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to explore the global distribution of FLA in solid matrices. From the analysis of 104 out of 4,414 scientific articles retrieved from different databases, it was found that the general global prevalence of FLA in solid matrices was of 55.13% (95% confidence interval (CI) 49.32-60.94). Specifically, FLA prevalence was high in soil (72.40%, 95% CI 69.08-75.73), sediment (57.91%, 95% CI 50.01-65.81), mud (52.90%, 95% CI 24.01-81.78), dust (48.60%, 95% CI 43.00-54.19), and sewage sludge (40.19%, 95% CI 30.68-49.70). In aerosols it was comparatively lower (17.21%, 95% CI 12.76-21.66). Acanthamoeba spp. (52.23%) and Hartmanella/Vermamoeba spp. (36.06%) were found to be more prevalent, whereas Naegleria spp. (34.98%) and Balamuthia spp. (27.32%) were less prevalent. The distribution of the highest global prevalence values for species of Acanthamoeba spp., considering different publication periods of the studies, is as follows: A. hatchetti (51.46%), A. rhysodes (47.49%), A. polyphaga (36.37%), A. culbertsoni (34.31%), A. castellanii (34.21%), and A. lenticulata (32.82%). For other FLA species, the distribution is: Hartmannella/Vermamoeba vermiformis (91.57%), Naegleria fowleri (42.32%), Naegleria gruberi (32.39%), and Balamuthia mandrillaris (25%). The most prevalent Acanthamoeba genotypes were T4 (33.38%) and T3 (23.94%). Overall, the global prevalence of FLA in solid matrices is as high as or greater than that reported in water by previous systematic reviews. Thus, actions aimed at reducing exposure to FLA or exploring their ecological dynamics should consider not only water but also the various solid matrices. The finding outlined here can provide valuable insights for such actions, e.g., informing on the level of exposure to FLA, or on the microbial biodiversity of specific environmental compartments.
Topics: Animals; Amoeba; Prevalence; Sewage; Acanthamoeba; Coleoptera; Dust; Soil; Water
PubMed: 37633571
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107006 -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2017is an opportunistic amphizoic protozoan found in different fresh water sources. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize isolates from surface resting...
BACKGROUND
is an opportunistic amphizoic protozoan found in different fresh water sources. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize isolates from surface resting waters, in Northwest Iran.
METHODS
Samples were collected from twenty-two different areas, between May and Sep 2014. After filtration, samples were cultivated on non-nutrient agar. The extracted DNAs were amplified and sequenced using partial 18S rRNA in order to genotype and phylogenetic analyses.
RESULTS
Thirty-four (68%) out of 50 collected samples were positive for free-living amoebae based on both culture and morphological characterizations but 28 samples were identified as spp. by PCR. Sequentially, one isolate was identified as , (T5) (AN: KP940443, identity 99.7%-100%, and divergence 0.3%) whilst other sequenced isolates identified spp. (AN: KP940444-45) as very similar to and with identity 100% and divergence 0%.
CONCLUSION
Surface resting waters in Northwest Iran, were potentially contaminated with pathogenic amphizoic protozoan. Further studies will be required to determine other species and genotypes in the region.
PubMed: 28979345
DOI: No ID Found -
Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng... Apr 2016To identify the species of a morphologically Acanthamoeba-like pathogen in sputum from a patient with repeated cough.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the species of a morphologically Acanthamoeba-like pathogen in sputum from a patient with repeated cough.
METHODS
Protozoa were isolated from the sputum and cultured for morphological observation of the trophozoites and cysts. DNA was extracted from the cultivated sample, and PCR was performed using primers as follows: 18S universal primers for amoeba family(Ami6F1 and Ami9R) and for amoeba genus(JDP1 and JDP2), and primers for 18S full-length sequence of S-7 ATCC reference strain of Acanthamoeba griffini (AacGF and AscGR). The 18S rRNA was sequenced, followed by homology analysis. The maximum likelihood method was used to construct phylogenetic tree.
RESULTS
Microscopic examination showed that the trophozites had spine and irregular-shape pseudopodia bulge. The cysts were encapsulated by double membrane layer with the inner membrane having star-like processes. As expected, PCR amplification resulted in bands of 830, 479 and 1 957 bp, respectively, which were blasted to be 99%, 99% and 100% homologous to those of A. griffini(U07412.1). Phylogenetic tree indicated that this acanthamobe in the patient’s sample was 91.4%, 99.6%, 94.5% and 91.8% homologous to keratitis-associated A. castellanii, A. polyphage, A. cullbertsoni and A. rhysodes.
CONCLUSION
The parasite in sputum of the patient with respiratory tract infection is Acanthamoeba griffini.
Topics: Acanthamoeba; Animals; Base Sequence; DNA Primers; DNA, Protozoan; Humans; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 30124240
DOI: No ID Found -
Scientific Reports Jul 2020Multinuclearity is a widespread phenomenon across the living world, yet how it is achieved, and the potential related advantages, are not systematically understood. In...
Multinuclearity is a widespread phenomenon across the living world, yet how it is achieved, and the potential related advantages, are not systematically understood. In this study, we investigate multinuclearity in amoebae. We observe that non-adherent amoebae are giant multinucleate cells compared to adherent ones. The cells solve their multinuclearity by a stretchy cytokinesis process with cytosolic bridge formation when adherence resumes. After initial adhesion to a new substrate, the progeny of the multinucleate cells is more numerous than the sibling cells generated from uninucleate amoebae. Hence, multinucleate amoebae show an advantage for population growth when the number of cells is quantified over time. Multiple nuclei per cell are observed in different amoeba species, and the lack of adhesion induces multinuclearity in diverse protists such as Acanthamoeba castellanii, Vermamoeba vermiformis, Naegleria gruberi and Hartmannella rhysodes. In this study, we observe that agitation induces a cytokinesis delay, which promotes multinuclearity. Hence, we propose the hypothesis that multinuclearity represents a physiological adaptation under non-adherent conditions that can lead to biologically relevant advantages.
Topics: Acanthamoeba castellanii; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Nucleus; Cytokinesis; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
PubMed: 32694508
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68694-9