Prevalence of free living amoeba in the domestic waters reservoirs in Sfax, Tunisia

• Published in: Experimental parasitology 2018-10, Vol.193, p.1-4
• Main Authors: Dendana, F., Trabelsi, H., Neji, S., Sellami, H., Kammoun, S., Makni, F., Feki, J., Cheikhrouhou, F., Ayadi, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Domestic water reserve (DWR); Free living amoeba -environment; Morphotype
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.07.007

Free living amoebas (FLA) are opportunistic pathogen found in different water sources in the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of free living amoeba in different samples of domestic water reserves (DWR) in Sfax region from Tunisia. It was a prospective study dealing with 486 water samples collected from different DWR. After filtration through a cellulose acetate membrane samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar and the FLA were detected and strained with Giesma, Trichrome and red nuclear stain for morphological and morphotypic studies. FLA were found in 62% of samples. The Acanthopodial morphotype was detected in 43%, Polytactic (38%), Monotactic (28%), Fan-shaped (17%), Rugose (11%), Dactilopodial (10%) and Eruptive (9%). These results demonstrate that domestic water reserves are a significant source of the FLA and maintenance of DWR is recommended. [Display omitted] •First detection of different morphotypes of FLA in DWR in Sfax region from Tunisia.•Presence of pathogenic morphotypes (acanthopodial and eruptive) in DWR.•The DWR are a significant source of FLA and maintenance of DWR is recommended.•DWR is a risk factor of public health.