Entamoeba Histolytica Uninucleate Cyst Cyst

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Entamoeba Histolytica Uninucleate Cyst Cyst Genus: Entamoeba Species: E. histolytica E. dispar E. hartmanni E. coli E. gingivalis E. Polecki E. moshkovskii Genus: Endolimax Species: E. nana Genus: Iodamoeba Species: I. bütschlii (Peripheral Chromatin) (linin network) (Pseudopodia) Binary fission E. coli 15-50 µ 10-35 µ E. coli E. histolytica T:12-60 µ C:10-15 µ Minuta :12- 15 µ Trophozoites Cysts E. histolytica E. histolytica Hematophage Magnata E. dispar E. histolytica /E. dispar E. moshkovskii E. histolytica /E. dispar/E. moshkovskii E. hartmanni T:10-12 µ C:7-10 µ E. gingivalis T: 10 - 35 µ E. Polecki T:25-30 µ C:10-15 µ Endolimax nana T:5-15 µ T:6-8 µ C:6-8 µ Iodamoeba bütschlii T:12-16 µ C:9-10 µ Genus: Entamoeba Species: E. histolytica Amebiasis E. dispar E. hartmanni E. Polecki E. coli E. moshkovskii - – ( Anal sex ) ( Fecal-oral self-inoculation ) .I .II .I .II E. dispar E. moshkovskii (Immunodiagnosis) 1. Antibody Detection IHA , IFA , ELISA 2. Antigen Detection ELISA )Molecular diagnosis ( E. HISTOLYTICA II TECHLAB® A 2nd generation Monoclonal ELISA for detecting E. histolytica adhesin in fecal specimens Catalog No. T5017 (96 Tests) E. dispar E. moshkovskii (Immunodiagnosis) 1. Antibody Detection IHA , IFA , ELISA 2. Antigen Detection ELISA )Molecular diagnosis ( PCR Phase Contrast Microscopy X 400 Entamoeba coli Entamoeba histolytica uninucleate cyst cyst Phase Contrast Microscopy X 400 Entamoeba histolytica Macrophage trophozoite Phase Contrast Microscopy X 400 Entamoeba histolytica Epithelial cells trophozoites Phase Contrast Microscopy X 400 Entamoeba histolytica Entamoeba coli trophozoite Phase Contrast Microscopy X 400 Entamoeba histolytica Polymorphonuclear cyst leucocytes Trichrome Stain x 1000 Entamoeba histolytica Macrophage cyst PH PH ! ! ! ! ! ! Naegleria Acanthamoeba Balamuthia Naegleria fowleri Primary Amebic Meingoencephalitis (PAM) ( lobopodia ) 10-35 µm Amebostome (9 µm )8-12 µ Thermophilic Naegleria fowleri trophozoite Naegleria fowleri trophozoite in spinal fluid. Trichrome stain. Note the typically large karyosome and the monopodial locomotion. primary amebic meingoencephalitis (PAM) B + B Acanthamoeba spp ostiole Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) ulcerating keratitis 10-45 µm ( Acantapodia ) 7-18 µm -2 → 45 °C 35-25°C Acanthamoeba sp. Notice the typical thorn-like projections (acanthopoda). Acanthamoeba spp Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) Acanthamoeba castellanii A. culbertsoni A. astronyxis A. palestinensis A. polyphaga A. hatchetti A. rhysodes A. griffini Balamuthia mandrillaris Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) Acanthamoeba and B. mandrillaris Infections of the Lungs and Skin Acanthamoebic pneumonitis and dermatitis Acanthamoeba Keratitis ulcerating keratitis Pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba infection Acanthamoeba Keratitis Brolene (propamidine isethionate) dibromopropamidine Polymyxin B miconazole + propamidine neomycin Ketoconazole Acridine derivatives paromomycin Acanthamoeba sp. Keratitis Corneal biopsy showing a trophozoite Cyst with the characteristic stellate shape, in corneal scraping. Balamuthia mandrillaris Leptomyxid ameba Meningoencephalitis Balamuthia amebic encephalitis (BAE) ( 30 ) 12-60 µm Balamuthia mandrillaris ( 15 ) 6 - 30 µm trophozoites in brain tissue Immunofluorescent staining Balamuthia mandrillaris 30 µ. Balamuthia mandrillaris infection with important skin lesion. .
Recommended publications
  • Protistology Mitochondrial Genomes of Amoebozoa
    Protistology 13 (4), 179–191 (2019) Protistology Mitochondrial genomes of Amoebozoa Natalya Bondarenko1, Alexey Smirnov1, Elena Nassonova1,2, Anna Glotova1,2 and Anna Maria Fiore-Donno3 1 Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia 2 Laboratory of Cytology of Unicellular Organisms, Institute of Cytology RAS, 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia 3 University of Cologne, Institute of Zoology, Terrestrial Ecology, 50674 Cologne, Germany | Submitted November 28, 2019 | Accepted December 10, 2019 | Summary In this mini-review, we summarize the current knowledge on mitochondrial genomes of Amoebozoa. Amoebozoa is a major, early-diverging lineage of eukaryotes, containing at least 2,400 species. At present, 32 mitochondrial genomes belonging to 18 amoebozoan species are publicly available. A dearth of information is particularly obvious for two major amoebozoan clades, Variosea and Tubulinea, with just one mitochondrial genome sequenced for each. The main focus of this review is to summarize features such as mitochondrial gene content, mitochondrial genome size variation, and presence or absence of RNA editing, showing if they are unique or shared among amoebozoan lineages. In addition, we underline the potential of mitochondrial genomes for multigene phylogenetic reconstruction in Amoebozoa, where the relationships among lineages are not fully resolved yet. With the increasing application of next-generation sequencing techniques and reliable protocols, we advocate mitochondrial
    [Show full text]
  • The Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Balamuthia Mandrillaris Disease in the United States, 1974 – 2016
    HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Clin Infect Manuscript Author Dis. Author manuscript; Manuscript Author available in PMC 2020 August 28. Published in final edited form as: Clin Infect Dis. 2019 May 17; 68(11): 1815–1822. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy813. The Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Balamuthia mandrillaris Disease in the United States, 1974 – 2016 Jennifer R. Cope1, Janet Landa1,2, Hannah Nethercut1,3, Sarah A. Collier1, Carol Glaser4, Melanie Moser5, Raghuveer Puttagunta1, Jonathan S. Yoder1, Ibne K. Ali1, Sharon L. Roy6 1Waterborne 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, GA, USA 2James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program, Baltimore, MD, USA 3Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA 4Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, CA, USA 5Office of Financial Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, GA, USA 6Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA Abstract Background—Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living ameba that causes rare, nearly always fatal disease in humans and animals worldwide. B. mandrillaris has been isolated from soil, dust, and water. Initial entry of Balamuthia into the body is likely via the skin or lungs. To date, only individual case reports and small case series have been published. Methods—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a free-living ameba (FLA) registry and laboratory. To be entered into the registry, a Balamuthia case must be laboratory-confirmed.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Definitions for Non-Notifiable Infections Caused by Free-Living Amebae (Naegleria Fowleri, Balamuthia Mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba Spp.)
    11-ID-15 Committee: Infectious Disease Title: Case Definitions for Non-notifiable Infections Caused by Free-living Amebae (Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp.) I. Statement of the Problem Free-living amebae infections can cause corneal keratitis, blindness or severe, neurologic illnesses that commonly result in death. Although these infections are rare and not currently nationally notifiable, creating standardized case definitions would facilitate more systematic collection of clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory data to assist in understanding the risk factors for infection with free-living amebae and increase the potential for development of future prevention recommendations. II. Background and Justification Infections caused by free-living amebae (Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba [keratitis and non-keratitis infections]) have been well documented worldwide. These amebae can cause fatal or severe skin, eye, and neurologic infections (e.g., N. fowleri causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis [PAM]; B. mandrillaris and several species of Acanthamoeba cause granulomatous amebic encephalitis [GAE]; and Acanthamoeba can also cause keratitis). Annually, during 2005–2008, 3–6 fatal N. fowleri infections occurred underscoring that although these infections are rare, the outcomes are often severe and can undermine the public’s confidence in certain public recreational activities (e.g., swimming in fresh water lakes). A recent case in a Northern tier state (with no history of recent travel) indicates these organisms might be more geographically widespread than previously thought. Clusters of cases associated with organ transplantation occurred in 2009 and 2010, indicating the potential for multiple persons being affected by one source case. Currently, no standardized case definitions exist to facilitate collection of uniform clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory data, or to serve as a guide for state and local health agencies to use in characterizing such severe illnesses.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Balamuthiasis
    Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2020). 7(8): 15-24 International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences ISSN: 2348-8069 www.ijarbs.com DOI: 10.22192/ijarbs Coden: IJARQG (USA) Volume 7, Issue 8 -2020 Review Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2020.07.08.003 A Review of Balamuthiasis Pam Martin Zang Department of Animal Health, Federal College of Animal health and Production Technology (NVRI)Vom, Plateau state Nigeria Abstract Balamuthia mandrillaris was first discovered in 1986 from brain necropsy of a pregnant mandrill baboon (Papio sphinx) that died of a neurological disease at the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park, California, USA. Because of the rarity of Balamuthiasis, risk factors for the disease are not well defined. Though soil, stagnant water may serve as sources of infection for balamuthiasis. Right now, the predisposing factors for B. mandrillaris encephalitis remain incompletely understood. Though, BAE may occur in healthy individuals, immunocompromised or weakened patients due to HIV infection, malnutrition, diabetes, those on immunosuppressive therapy, patients with malignancies, and alcoholism are predominantly at risk. While the number of infections due to B. mandrillaris is fairly low, the difficulty in diagnosis, lack of awareness, problematic treatment of GAE or BAE, and the resulting fatal consequences highlights that this infection is of great concern, not just for humans but also for animals Current methods of treatment require increased awareness of physicians and pathologists of GAE or BAE and strong suspicion based on clinical findings. Early diagnosis followed by aggressive treatment using a mixture of drugs is crucial, and even then the prognosis remains extremely poor.
    [Show full text]
  • Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Balamuthia Mandrillaris in Peru: Infection of the Skin and Central Nervous System
    SMGr up Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis Balamuthia mandrillaris in Peru: Infection of the Skin and Central Nervous System A. Martín Cabello-Vílchez MSc, PhD* Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt” *Corresponding author: Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt”, Av. Honorio Delgado Nº430, San A. Martín Cabello-Vílchez, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, MartínPublished de Porras, Date: Lima-Perú, Tel: +511 989767619, Email: [email protected] February 16, 2017 ABSTRACT Balamuthia mandrillaris is an emerging cause of sub acute granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) or Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebic infection (BMAI). It is an emerging pathogen causing skin lesions as well as CNS involvement with a fatal outcome if untreated. The infection has been described more commonly in inmunocompetent individuals, mostly males, many children. All continents have reported the disease, although a majority of cases are seen in North and South America, especially Peru. Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free living amoeba that can be isolated from soil. In published reported cases from North America, most patients will debut with neurological symptoms, where as in countries like Peru, a skin lesion will precede neurological symptoms. The classical cutaneous lesionis a plaque, mostly located on face, knee or other body parts. Diagnosis requires a specialized laboratory and clinical experience. This Amoebic encephalitis may be erroneously interpreted as a cerebral neoplasm, causing delay in the management of the infection. Thediagnosis of this infection has proven to be difficult and is usually made post-mortem but in Peru many cases were pre-morten. Despite case fatality rates as high as > 98%, some experimental therapies have shown protozoal therapy with macrolides and phenothiazines.
    [Show full text]
  • Amoebic Encephalitis Caused by Balamuthia Mandrillaris
    CASE STUDY Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2019; 53: 327-331 https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2019.05.14 Amoebic Encephalitis Caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris Su Jung Kum, Hye Won Lee, Hye Ra Jung, Misun Choe, Sang Pyo Kim Department of Pathology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea We present the case of a 71-year-old man who was diagnosed with amoebic encephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris. He had rheumatic arthritis for 30 years and had undergone continuous treatment with immunosuppressants. First, he complained of partial spasm from the left thigh to the left upper limb. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal enhancing nodules in the cortical and subcortical area of both cerebral hemispheres, which were suggestive of brain metastases. However, the patient developed fever with stuporous mentality and an open biopsy was performed immediately. Microscopically, numerous amoebic trophozoites, measuring 20 to 25 µm in size, with nuclei containing one to four nucleoli and some scattered cysts having a double-layered wall were noted in the back- ground of hemorrhagic necrosis. Based on the microscopic findings, amoebic encephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris was diag- nosed. The patient died on the 10th day after being admitted at the hospital. The diagnosis of amoebic encephalitis in the early stage is difficult for clinicians. Moreover, most cases undergo rapid deterioration, resulting in fatal consequences. In this report, we present the first case of B. mandrillaris amoebic encephalitis with fatal progression in a Korean patient. Key Words: Amoebic encephalitis; Balamuthia mandrillaris; Histopathologic features Received: March 18, 2019 Revised: April 29, 2019 Accepted: May 14, 2019 Corresponding Author: Sang Pyo Kim, MD, Department of Pathology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, Korea Tel: +82-53-580-3815, Fax: +82-53-580-3823, E-mail: [email protected] Although amoebic encephalitis is a rare disease, it has a very CASE REPORT high mortality rate.
    [Show full text]
  • Advances in the Knowledge of Amphizoic Amoebae Infecting Fish
    FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA 51: 81–97, 2004 REVIEW ARTICLE Advances in the knowledge of amphizoic amoebae infecting fish Iva Dyková1,2 and Jiří Lom1 1Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; 2Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic Key words: amphizoic amoebae, fish hosts, Acanthamoeba, Cochliopodium, Filamoeba, Naegleria, Neoparamoeba, Nuclearia, Platyamoeba, Thecamoeba, Vannella, Vexillifera Abstract. Free-living amoebae infecting freshwater and marine fish include those described thus far as agents of fish diseases, associated with other disease conditions and isolated from organs of asymptomatic fish. This survey is based on information from the literature as well as on our own data on strains isolated from freshwater and marine fish. Evidence is provided for diverse fish-infecting amphizoic amoebae. Recent progress in the understanding of the biology of Neoparamoeba spp., agents responsi- ble for significant direct losses in Atlantic salmon and turbot industry, is presented. Specific requirements of diagnostic proce- dures detecting amoebic infections in fish and taxonomic criteria available for generic and species determination of amphizoic amoebae are analysed. The limits of morphological and non-morphological approaches in species determination are exemplified by Neoparamoeba, Vannella and Platyamoeba spp., which are the most common amoebae isolated from fish gills, Acanth- amoeba and Naegleria spp. isolated from various organs of freshwater fish, and by other unique fish isolates of the genera Nuclearia, Thecamoeba and Filamoeba. Advances in molecular characterisation of SSU rRNA genes and phylogenetic analyses based on their sequences are summarised. Attention is particularly given to specific diagnostic tools for fish-infecting amphizoic amoebae and ways for their further development.
    [Show full text]
  • Free-Living Amebae Infections Case Investigation and Reporting Protocol
    Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Public Health P-02553 (Rev 07/2018) Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol FREE-LIVING AMEBA INFECTIONS (Other than Naegleria fowleri) I. IDENTIFICATION AND DEFINITION OF CASES A. Background: Free-living amebae (FLA) belonging to the genera Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Naegleria and Sappinia can cause disease in humans and animals. Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris are opportunistic FLA capable of causing a chronic, insidious, mostly fatal disease called granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Acanthamoeba spp. can also invade the eye in otherwise healthy individuals and cause vision-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis (corneal infection), especially in contact lens wearers. Sappinia pedata has been implicated in a case of non-granulomatous amebic encephalitis. Naegleria fowleri produces an acute, rapidly progressive, and usually lethal central nervous system disease called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), typically in young, healthy persons with a recent history of exposure to warm, untreated recreational water. PAM is a Category I notifiable condition in Wisconsin with distinct reporting and urgent treatment recommendations. Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, and Sappinia organisms are ubiquitous in nature and can be found in bodies of water, soil, and air. FLA have multiple stages in their life cycle, which can be completed in the environment without dependence on a host (hence, free-living). N. fowleri has three stages: amoeba (trophozoite), cyst, and flagellate, whereas Acanthamoeba spp., B. mandrillaris, and Sappinia pedata have two stages: amoeba and cyst. Cyst stages are hardy in the environment and tolerant to chlorine disinfection and most contact lens solutions. Acanthamoeba spp.
    [Show full text]
  • RAIN Clinicopathologic Conference 2018
    2/16/2018 Case ID: 74 year old Chinese woman with past medical history of rheumatoid RAIN Clinicopathologic arthritis, who presents with fevers and altered mental status. HPI. Conference 2018 2 weeks prior to presentation – had L vision loss. Diagnosed with endophthalmitis, unknown cause, treated with intravitreal vancomycin, ceftazidime, and voriconazole x 2. CT chest noted incidental LLL cavitary lesion Dr. Chris McGraw, MD, PhD Started empiric treatment for Toxo (systemic pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine) due to Department of Neurology elevated serum Toxo IgM. Dr. Melike Pekmezci, MD 1 week prior to presentation – had AMS with neck tenderness. Department of Pathology Diagnosed with multifocal strokes and had full stroke work-up Dr. Felicia Chow, MD Cardiac monitor with pAFib. Negative TTE. Department of Neurology Started warfarin for secondary stroke prevention Started prednisone taper for unclear reasons (?concern for vasculitis) University of California San Francisco Day of presentation (2 days following discharge from prior admission) – obtunded 2/16/2018 Presented to TB clinic for scheduled outpatient evaluation. Transferred to ED, promptly intubated, admitted to ICU Case Case Comatose, GCS 6/15 PMH. RA, HTN, R glaucoma, L endophthalmitis, ?strokes. Trip to Guangzhou, China Medication. Warfarin, Sulfadiazine, Pyrimethamine, leucovorin, Prednisone 20mg. Hydroxychloroquine 200, Metoprolol, Timolol. MRI brain multifocal infarcts SH. Moved from China 8 years ago. Last visit 4 mos ago. Independent ADLs at baseline. Loss of vision L eye FH. No history of malignancy, autoimmune or neurologic Lung cavitary lesion disease. Physical exam. Altered mental status Gen. Fever 103°F, tachycardic 111, normotensive 120s Neuro. GCS 6(E1,Vt,M5). L pupil 6mm fixed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transcriptome of Balamuthia Mandrillaris Trophozoites for Structure-Based Drug 2 Design 3 Isabelle Q
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.29.178905; this version posted June 30, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 1 The transcriptome of Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites for structure-based drug 2 design 3 Isabelle Q. Phan1,2*Δ, Christopher A. Rice3,†*Δ, Justin Craig1,4, Rooksana E. Noorai5, Jacquelyn 4 McDonald2, Sandhya Subramanian1,2, Logan Tillery1,4, Lynn K. Barrett1,4, Vijay Shankar6, James 5 C. Morris7, Wesley C. Van Voorhis1,4,8,9 Dennis E. Kyle3, Peter J. Myler1,2,9,10Δ 6 1Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Seattle, Washington, USA. 7 2Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, 8 Washington, USA. 9 3Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA. 10 4Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and 11 Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 12 USA. 13 5Clemson University Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility, Clemson University, Clemson, South 14 Carolina, USA. 15 6Center for Human Genetics, Clemson University, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA. 16 7Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson 17 University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA. 18 8Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. 19 9Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. 20 10Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Health Reporting and Standardized Surveillance for Free
    16-ID-12 Committee: Infectious Disease Title: Public Health Reporting and Standardized Surveillance for Free-living Amebae Infections including Acanthamoeba Disease, Balamuthia mandrillaris Disease, and Naegleria fowleri Causing Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis I. Statement of the Problem The epidemiology of disease caused by Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba species has evolved in recent years to include risk factors other than warm recreational freshwater exposure in southern tier states and soil exposure. Recent developments include expansion of the geographic range of N. fowleri infection to northern and Midwestern states, the identification of nasal irrigation for either medical or religious purposes as a risk factor for infection, and the finding of N. fowleri in a treated public drinking water distribution system. Solid organ transplantation has also recently emerged as a risk factor for Balamuthia mandrillaris infection in organ recipients. The purpose of this position statement is to update the existing standardized case definitions for each condition to reflect changes in testing and diagnostic capabilities. II. Background and Justification Background Free-living amebae (FLA) infections include the conditions of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by infection with N. fowleri, and granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), disseminated, and cutaneous infections caused by infection with B. mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba spp. N. fowleri, B. mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp. are amebae that live freely in the environment without the need for a host. These FLA generally complete their entire life cycles in the environment, such as in fresh water and soil, and were initially considered to be harmless environmental organisms. However, FLA are now known to be capable of endozoic living (within a mammal) and therefore, on rare occasions and for reasons not well understood, can infect and sicken humans who have been exposed.
    [Show full text]
  • Presence of Potential Pathogenic Genotypes of Free-Living Amoebae Isolated from Sandboxes in Children’S Playgrounds
    © Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS Folia Parasitologica 2015, 62: 064 doi: 10.14411/fp.2015.064 http://folia.paru.cas.cz Research Article Presence of potential pathogenic genotypes of free-living amoebae isolated from sandboxes in children’s playgrounds Marcin Cholewiński, Piotr Solarczyk, Monika Derda, Agnieszka Wojtkowiak-Giera and Edward Hadaś Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine I, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Abstract: Some free-living amoebae are a potential threat to human health. The best known species are those of the genus Acantham- oeba Volkonsky, 1931, which cause Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and other forms of tissue inflam- mation. The aim of the present study was to search for potential pathogenic genotypes of free-living amoeba in the sand in children’s playgrounds. Our results confirmed that free-living amoebae were present in all examined playgrounds. Sequences of the 18S rDNA have shown that all isolated potentially pathogenic strains of amoebae belong to genotype T4 of Acanthamoeba. The potential path- ogenicity of isolates was confirmed on mice. The presence of pathogenic amoebae in the examined sand may be a potential source of human infection. Keywords: genotyping, Acanthamoeba, parasites, molecular study Free-living amoebae of the genera Acanthamoeba Potentially, the most virulent and dangerous to humans Volkonsky, 1931, Balamuthia Visvesvara, 1986, Echi- are species and strains of the genera Acanthamoeba and namoeba Page, 1975, Hartmannella Page, 1975, Mastigi- Naegleria, as well as species and strains of the genera Bal- na Frenzel, 1897, Naegleria Alexeieff, 1912, Saccamoeba amuthia (see Siddiqui and Khan 2012, Walochnik 2014).
    [Show full text]