Abstract
Free-living amoeba (FLA) research in the Philippines is still in its infancy but has, by far, demonstrated the presence of potentially pathogenic species. Acanthamoeba may cause sight-threatening and central nervous system infections to humans, yet its epidemiologic distribution from local environmental sources is yet to be defined. The present study aimed to provide a baseline epidemiologic distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in freshwater systems in the Philippines and establish potential pathogenicity of isolates through thermo-tolerance assay. A total of 63 water samples were collected from 13 freshwater systems all over the Philippine archipelago. The low-volume (50 ml) water samples were processed and cultured on non-nutrient agar lawned with Escherichia coli and observed for amoebic growth using light microscopy. Amoebic culture demonstrated 14.28% (9/63) positivity while further molecular testing of culture-positive plates using Acanthamoeba-specific primers demonstrated 100% (9/9) confirmation of Acanthamoeba species. Genotyping of Acanthamoeba isolates revealed T1, T3, T4, T5, T7, T11, and T15 genotypes. Thermo-tolerance assay demonstrated that T5 and T7 genotypes were potentially pathogenic strains. The evidence of environmental distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in the freshwater systems in the Philippines and thermo-tolerance profile of isolates are significant aspects of amoeba study in public health and calls for initiatives in the dissemination of relevant information and the expansion of knowledge, awareness, and policies on pathogenic waterborne amoeba to mitigate, prevent, detect, and report cases of human infections.
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Acknowledgments
The authors extend deep gratitude to Dr. Carsten Balczun of the Parasitology Laboratory in the Central Military Hospital in Koblenz, Germany, for his generosity in providing the Acanthamoeba DNA-positive control; The School of Allied Health Sciences, Biomedical Science Department, Walailak University, Department of Biology, and Department of Medical Technology, Far Eastern University-Manila for the technical assistance; laboratory technicians Mr. Romel Solomon, Virgilio Bitagcul, Ma. Lourdes Policarpio, Ariel Lopez, and Ivy Joy Fababier for providing technical support.
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This study was financially supported by Walailak University (Contract No. 23/2562).
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Milanez, G.D., Masangkay, F.R., Scheid, P. et al. Acanthamoeba species isolated from Philippine freshwater systems: epidemiological and molecular aspects. Parasitol Res 119, 3755–3761 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06874-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06874-2