Detection of Free-Living Amoebae Using Amoebal Enrichment in a Wastewater Treatment Plant of Gauteng Province, South Africa

Free-living amoebae pose a potential health risk in water systems as they may be pathogenic and harbor potential pathogenic bacteria known as amoebae resistant bacteria. Free-living amoebae were observed in 150 (87.2%) of the environmental water samples. In particular, Acanthamoeba sp. was identifie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioMed research international 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-10
Main Authors: Bartie, C., Barnard, T. G., Mwamba, O., Muchesa, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba - genetics
Acanthamoeba - isolation & purification
Acanthamoeba - microbiology
Algae
Amoeba
Bacteria
Bacteria - genetics
Bacteria - pathogenicity
Bacterial Infections - microbiology
Bacterial Infections - transmission
Bioreactors
Cysts
Effluents
Enrichment
Health
Humans
Laboratories
Medical research
Meningoencephalitis
Methods
Microorganisms
Occupational health
Plants (organisms)
Ponds
Receiving
Sewage
South Africa
Staphylococcus infections
Studies
Temperature
Waste Water - microbiology
Wastewater treatment
Water quality
Water treatment
Water treatment plants
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Summary:Free-living amoebae pose a potential health risk in water systems as they may be pathogenic and harbor potential pathogenic bacteria known as amoebae resistant bacteria. Free-living amoebae were observed in 150 (87.2%) of the environmental water samples. In particular, Acanthamoeba sp. was identified in 22 (12.8%) using amoebal enrichment and confirmed by molecular analysis. FLA were isolated in all 8 stages of the wastewater treatment plant using the amoebal enrichment technique. A total of 16 (9.3%) samples were positive for FLA from influent, 20 (11.6%) from bioreactor feed, 16 (9.3%) from anaerobic zone, 16 (9.3%) from anoxic zone, 32 (18.6%) from aerators, 16 (9.3%) from bioreactor effluent, 11 (6.4%) from bioreactor final effluent, and 45 (26.2%) from maturation pond. This study provides baseline information on the occurrence of amoebae in wastewater treatment plant. This has health implications on receiving water bodies as some FLA are pathogenic and are also involved in the transmission and dissemination of pathogenic bacteria.
ISSN:2314-6133
2314-6141
DOI:10.1155/2014/575297