Free-living amoebae and their relationship to air quality in hospital environments: characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. obtained from air-conditioning systems

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely dispersed in the environment, can cause opportunistic and non-opportunistic infections in humans and other animals. The aim of the present study was characterize FLA obtained from air-conditioners of a public hospital in the city of Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. Fif...

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Published in:Parasitology 2020-06, Vol.147 (7), p.782-790
Main Authors: Wopereis, Débora Borgert, Bazzo, Maria Luiza, de Macedo, Jefferson Peres, Casara, Fabiana, Golfeto, Lisléia, Venancio, Eduardo, de Oliveira, Jaquelline Germano, Rott, Marilise Brittes, Caumo, Karin Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba - classification
Acanthamoeba - genetics
Acanthamoeba - isolation & purification
Air - parasitology
Air conditioners
Air Conditioning
Air Pollution - analysis
Air quality
Amoeba
Brazil
Chemotherapy
Cysts
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Dust control
E coli
Genotype
Genotypes
Hemodialysis
Hospitals
Indoor air quality
Infections
Microorganisms
Microscopy
Morphology
Pathogens
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Summary:Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely dispersed in the environment, can cause opportunistic and non-opportunistic infections in humans and other animals. The aim of the present study was characterize FLA obtained from air-conditioners of a public hospital in the city of Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. Fifty-four dust samples were collected of air conditioners, and were inoculated on 1.5% non-nutrient agar, overlaid with layers of Escherichia coli. Subsequently the isolates were axenised in PYG growth medium. The morphological and molecular characterization of the isolates was performed, as well as the tolerance (physiological) assays were used to evaluate the pathogenic potential. The results revealed the presence of FLA in 42 (77.8%) of the collected samples. Of these, 39 (92.9%) axenic isolates of FLA were obtained for morphological and genotypic studies. All the isolates characterized belong to the genus Acanthamoeba. Nineteen (48.7%) isolates belong to the genotype T4, 16 (41.0%) to the T5 genotype and 4 (10.3%) to genotype T11. Seven (18.0%) isolates were considered potentially pathogenic in tolerance assays. These findings require attention, considering the isolation environment and immunocompromised characteristics of many hospitalized patients.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182020000487