title: Isolation and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba genotypes in recreational and domestic water sources from Jamaica, West Indies.
abstract: Free living amoebae (FLA) are amphizoic protozoa that are ubiquitous in nature. Infection with FLA may result in neurological, ocular and skin infections. Exposure to Acanthamoeba occurs frequently through water contact and knowledge of the presence of the organisms in water sources is important in understanding transmission dynamics. The distribution of Acanthamoeba was studied in recreational and domestic water samples collected from across Jamaica. Morphological assessment and polymerase chain reaction revealed Acanthamoeba spp. isolates in 50.6% (42/83) and 17.3% (14/81) of recreational and domestic water, respectively. Sequencing of the DF3 region of the 18S rDNA resulted in the identification of genotypes T3, T4, T5, T10 and T11 corresponding to Acanthamoeba spp: A. griffini, A. triangularis, A. lenticulata, A. culbertsoni and A. hatchetti. Moreover, T4 was the most frequently isolated genotype in both recreational and domestic water. Thermotolerance and osmotolerance assays indicated that most isolates were potentially pathogenic. This is the first report of T3 and T10 genotypes in the Caribbean and the first report of these Acanthamoeba spp. in Jamaican waters. The study shows that there is potential risk of infection to contact wearers who practise poor lens care. Further, Acanthamoeba should be considered as a cause of neurological infections in Jamaica.
authors: University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica E-mail: john.lindo@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors: Cheridah D
authors: CD
authors: Todd
authors: University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Reyes-Batlle
authors: University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors: José E
authors: JE
authors: Piñero
authors: University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors: Enrique
authors: E
authors: Martínez-Carretero
authors: University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors: Basilio
authors: B
authors: Valladares
authors: National Water Commission, Marescaux Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica.
authors: Don
authors: D
authors: Streete
authors: University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Lorenzo-Morales
authors: Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica E-mail: john.lindo@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors: John F
authors: JF
authors: Lindo
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001493:Bathing Beaches; D003261:Contact Lenses; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D060985:Natural Springs / Q000469:parasitology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012623:Seawater / Q000469:parasitology