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Prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. and other free-living amoebae in household water, Ohio, USA—1990–1992

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Abstract

Knowledge of the prevalence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in US household water can provide a focus for prevention of amoeba-associated illnesses. Household water samples from two Ohio counties, collected and examined for amoebae during 1990–1992, were used to describe the prevalence of Acanthamoeba and other FLA in a household setting. Amoebae were isolated and identified by morphologic features. A total of 2,454 samples from 467 households were examined. Amoebae were found in water samples of 371 (79%) households. Sites most likely to contain amoeba were shower heads (52%) and kitchen sprayers (50%). Species of Hartmannella, Acanthamoeba, or Vahlkampfia were most common. Detection was higher in biofilm swab samples than in water samples. Detection of FLA and Acanthamoeba, at 79% and 51%, respectively, exceed estimates that have been published in previous surveys of household sources. We believe FLA are commonplace inhabitants of household water in this sample as they are in the environment.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr. Thomas K. Sawyer for his expertise and commitment to identifying the amoebae for this study and Dr. Lauri Hicks for her contribution to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE Mailstop A-34, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Lauren J. Stockman

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE Mailstop G-03, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Carolyn J. Wright & Barry S. Fields

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE Mailstop F-36, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Govinda S. Visvesvara

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE Mailstop F-22, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Michael J. Beach

Authors
  1. Lauren J. Stockman
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  2. Carolyn J. Wright
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  3. Govinda S. Visvesvara
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  4. Barry S. Fields
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  5. Michael J. Beach
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael J. Beach.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Stockman, L.J., Wright, C.J., Visvesvara, G.S. et al. Prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. and other free-living amoebae in household water, Ohio, USA—1990–1992. Parasitol Res 108, 621–627 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2120-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2120-7

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