title: Molecular and Morphometric Characterization ofAcanthamoebaspp. from Different Water Sources of Northwest Iran as a Neglected Focus, Co-Bordered With the Country of Iraq.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acanthamoebaspp. is a free-living opportunistic protozoan parasites, which can be found in tap, fresh and bottled mineral waters, contact lens solutions, soil etc.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study is aimed to determine theAcanthamoebaspp. on the basis of their morpho-molecular aspects in different water sources of the West Azerbaijan province, Northwest of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 60 water samples were collected from rivers and tap waters during June to September 2015. The water samples were filtered through a cellulose nitrate filter and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium. The extracted DNAs were amplified and some ampliqons were sequenced using partial 18S rRNA for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven (45%) out of 60 water samples were positive toAcanthamoebaspp. using both culture and morphological examinations. In addition, 24 (40%) out of 27 positive samples in culture method were confirmed by PCR to beAcanthamoebaspp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A relatively high prevalence ofAcanthamoebaspp. in rivers reflects a risk alert for threatening human health in the region. However, well hygienic status of the tap waters consideringAcanthamoebaspp. cannot be ignored in western co-border regions of Iran-Iraq. This study can also serve as a platform for further explorations of water sources in Iran and neighboring countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Students' Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Aram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khezri
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ardabil Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaeel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.affiliation: Students' Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mostafazadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spotin
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahbazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahami-Oskouei
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Taimuor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hazratian
keywords: Acanthamoeba; Iran; PCR; Water resources; West Azerbaijan