title: Isolation and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia mandrillaris from combination shower units in Costa Rica.
abstract: Free living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa, which may behave as parasites under certain conditions. Four genera are recognized as causal agents of infections in humans and animals: Naegleria, Sappinia, Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia. This work determines the presence of FLA in combination shower units and employs molecular biology for the characterization of isolates. The morphological analysis and partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA gene revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in 30% of the units sampled. In addition to Acanthamoeba cysts, trophozoites with morphological characteristics similar to Balamuthia were identified. PCR assay using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene as a target confirmed the identification of the amoeba as Balamuthia mandrillaris. Up to date, this is the first report of the isolation of B. mandrillaris in Central America and the fifth report worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Lissette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Retana-Moreira
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abrahams-Sandí
authors.forename: Alfonso Martín
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cabello-Vílchez
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyes-Batlle
authors.forename: Basilio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valladares
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Carretero
authors.forename: José E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Piñero
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lorenzo-Morales
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D059611:Balamuthia mandrillaris / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003364:Costa Rica; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D053058:Trophozoites; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S