title: Occurrence and characterization of Acanthamoeba similar to genotypes T4, T5, and T2/T6 isolated from environmental sources in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil.
abstract: Species of Acanthamoeba can cause keratitis and brain infections. The characterization of environmental isolates is necessary to analyze the risk of human infection. We aimed at identifying and genotyping Acanthamoeba isolates from soil, swimming pools, and water features in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil, as well as determining their physiological characteristics and pathogenic potential. Among the 18 isolates studied, eight were similar to genotype T5, five to T4, and one to T2/T6, classified by the sequence analysis of 18S rDNA. Genotypes of four isolates were not determined. Ten isolates (55%) grew at 37 °C and seven (39%) grew in media with 1.5M mannitol, which are the physiological parameters associated with pathogenic Acanthamoeba; also, four isolates from swimming pools presented high pathogenic potential. Our results indicate a widespread distribution of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba T4, T5, and T2/T6 in different environmental sources in Brasília, revealing the potential risk of human infection and the need of preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil. alveslm@gmail.com
authors.forename: Daniella de Sousa Mendes Moreira
authors.initials: Dde S
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Aline Silva
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Nadjar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nitz
authors.forename: Mayara Gabriele Carvalho
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Mariana Machado
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hecht
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gurgel-Gonçalves
authors.forename: César Augusto Cuba
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cuba
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001938:Brazil; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D005838:Genotype; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D013551:Swimming Pools
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D012987:Soil