Isolation and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp from oasis water in Tunisia

• Published in: Experimental parasitology 2018-04, Vol.187, p.37-41
• Main Authors: Dendana, F., Trabelsi, H., Neiji, S., Sellami, H., Kammoun, S., Makni, F., Feki, J., Cheikhrouhou, F., Ayadi, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acanthamoeba - classification; Acanthamoeba - genetics; Acanthamoeba - isolation & purification; Acanthamoeba - ultrastructure; Disease Reservoirs - parasitology; DNA, Protozoan - chemistry; DNA, Protozoan - genetics; DNA, Protozoan - isolation & purification; Environment; Free living amoeba; Fresh Water - parasitology; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Genotyping Techniques; Human Activities; Humans; Molecular identification; Oasis water -genotype; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Tunisia
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.02.009

In the southern Tunisia Oasis, we conducted 211 water with drawals from various water traffic sites. This water is used for agriculture, swimming or various other human activities. Acanthamoeba genus was detected in 82% of collected samples. Sequencing of the amplification products with primers P892C/P892 has allowed us to detect genotypic variation with predominance of T4 genotype (51%) and presence of the genotypes T14, T5, T3, T16, T15, T10, T11, T9 and T7. They T4, T3, T5, T15, T11 and T10 genotypes have a high potential for pathogenicity and a very high degree of virulence due to their production of serine proteases and extracellular cysteine enzymes involved in tissue degradation of the host. T4 genotype was the most abundant in the environment as well as in infections caused by Acanthamoeba spp. T5 genotype was ranked second and T3 genotype was less abundant in the environment and its pathogenicity is discussed. Acanthamoeba strains with the genotypes T16, T9 and T7 were considered non pathogenic. In fact, they have been isolated only from the environment. However, for these strains, their role as a reservoir can be a real risk to human health. [Display omitted] •The genotype heterogeneity of Acanthamoeba from different water collected from Oasis Tunisia.•Majority of Acanthamoeba pathogenic genotype was detected.•Predominance of T4, T5 and T14 genotype in water of Oasis Tunisia.•Detection of 10 different DF3 sequences types of T4 genotype with predominance of T4/25 sequence type.