title: Genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba isolated from ocean sediments.
abstract: Genetic diversity of 18 Acanthamoeba isolates from ocean sediments was evaluated by comparing mitochondrial (mt) DNA RFLP, 18S rDNA sequences and by examining their cytopathic effects on human corneal epithelial cells versus reference strains. All isolates belonged to morphologic group II. Total of 16 restriction phenotypes of mtDNA from 18 isolates demonstrated the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba in ocean sediments. Phylogenetic analysis using 18s rDNA sequences revealed that the 18 isolates were distinct from morphological groups I and III. Fifteen isolates showed close relatedness with 17 clinical isolates and A. castellanii Castellani and formed a lineage equivalent to T4 genotype of Byers group. Two reference strains from ocean sediment, A. hatchetti BH-2 and A. griffini S-7 clustered unequivocally with these 15 isolates. Diversity among isolates was also evident from their cytopathic effects on human corneal cells. This is the first time describing Acanthamoeba diversity in ocean sediments in Korea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700-422, Korea.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Young-Ran
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Sung-Tae
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yean-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Hyun-Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Dong-Il
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000469:parasitology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010802:Phylogeny; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S