Development of a nested PCR assay to detect the pathogenic free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri

Abstract.

Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a fatal disease of the central nervous system that is acquired while swimming or diving in freshwater. A cDNA clone designated Mp2Cl5 obtained from N. fowleri was used as a probe to distinguish N. fowleri from other free-living amoebae. The Mp2Cl5 probe hybridized to genomic DNA from pathogenic N. fowleri and antigenically related non-pathogenic N. lovaniensis. Mp2Cl5 was digested with the restriction enzyme XbaI, resulting in two fragments, Mp2Cl5.G and Mp2Cl5.P. Four species of Naegleria and four species of Acanthamoeba were examined for reactivity with Mp2Cl5.P. Mp2Cl5.P was specific for N. fowleri and was used in the development of a nested PCR assay which is capable of detecting as little as 5 pg of N. fowleri DNA or five intact N. fowleri amoebae. In summary, a rapid, sensitive, and specific assay for the detection of N. fowleri was developed.