Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Free-Living Amoebae from Different Water Sources in Italy

Bibliographic Data

ID15464844
AuthorsMargherita Montalbano Di Filippo (0000-0003-3936-3880, University of Rome Tor Vergata), Maristella Santoro (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Piero Lovreglio (0000-0002-1609-9397, University of Bari Aldo Moro), Rosa Monno (0000-0002-5789-4194, University of Bari Aldo Moro), Carmen Capolongo (University of Bari Aldo Moro), Carla Calia (0000-0001-5920-5260, University of Bari Aldo Moro), Luciana Fumarola (0000-0002-5938-1018, University of Bari Aldo Moro), Rossella D’Alfonso (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Rossella D'Alfonso (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Federica Berrilli (0000-0003-3952-4787, University of Rome Tor Vergata, corresponding author), David Di Cave (University of Rome Tor Vergata)
Year2015
Volume12
Issue4
Pages3417-3427
Publication date2015-03-24
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph120403417
PMID25811766
PMCIDPMC4410193
OpenAlexW2017777057
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited29

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa ubiquitous in Nature, isolated from a variety of environments worldwide. In addition to their natural distribution, some species have been found to be pathogenic to humans. In the present study a survey was conducted in order to evaluate the presence and to characterize at molecular level the isolates of amoebic organisms collected from different water sources in Italy. A total of 160 water samples were analyzed by culture and microscopic examination. FLA were found in 46 (28.7%) of the investigated water samples. Groundwater, well waters, and ornamental fountain waters were the sources with higher prevalence rates (85.7%, 50.0%, and 45.9%, respectively). Identification of FLA species/genotypes, based on the 18S rDNA regions, allowed to identify 18 (39.1%) Acanthamoeba isolates (genotypes T4 and T15) and 21 (45.6%) Vermamoeba vermiformis isolates. Other FLA species, including Vahlkampfia sp. and Naegleria spp., previously reported in Italy, were not recovered. The occurrence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae in habitats related to human population, as reported in the present study, supports the relevance of FLA as a potential health threat to humans

Acanthamoeba · Biology · Isolation (microbiology · Naegleria · Population · Protozoa · Veterinary medicine · Water source · Zoology · Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide · Legionella and Acanthamoeba research · Vibrio bacteria research studies · Ecology · Microbiology

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