title: Application of TaqMan qPCR for the detection and monitoring of Naegleria species in reservoirs used as a source for drinking water.
abstract: Naegleria spp. can be found in the natural aquatic environments. Naegleria fowleri can cause fatal infections in the central nervous system in humans and animals, and the most important source of infection is through direct water contact. In this study, PCR of 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was performed in order to identify Naegleria isolates and quantify the Naegleria spp. by TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR in reservoir water samples. The occurrence of Naegleria spp. was investigated in 57 water samples from reservoirs with culture and PCR positive in 2 of them (3.5%), respectively. The total detection rate was 7.0% (4/ 57) for Naegleria spp. The identified species included Naegleria spp., Naegleria canariensis, and Naegleria clarki. N. fowleri was not found in Taiwan's reservoirs used for drinking purposes. The concentrations of Naegleria spp. in detected positive reservoir water samples were in the range of 599 and 3.1 × 10(3) cells/L. The presence or absence of Naegleria spp. within the reservoir water samples showed significant difference with the levels of water temperature. The presence of Naegleria spp. in reservoirs considered a potential public health threat if pathogenic species exist in reservoirs.
authors: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, No.168, Sec. 1, University Rd., Minhsiung Township, Chiayi, 621, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Po-Min
authors: PM
authors: Kao
authors: Bing-Mu
authors: BM
authors: Hsu
authors: Tsui-Kang
authors: TK
authors: Hsu
authors: Yi-Chou
authors: YC
authors: Chiu
authors: Chung-Liang
authors: CL
authors: Chang
authors: Wen-Tsai
authors: WT
authors: Ji
authors: Shih-Wei
authors: SW
authors: Huang
authors: Cheng-Wei
authors: CW
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D009253:Naegleria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013624:Taiwan; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D060766:Drinking Water; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S