Title:Molecular Identification of Free-living Amoebae Isolated from Hospital
Water Systems in Southwest Iran
Volume: 22
Issue: 8
Author(s): Azin Salehi, Reza Arjmand, Molouk Beiromvand and Mehdi Tavalla*
Affiliation:
- Department of Parasitology,
Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Health Research Institute,
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz,
Iran
Keywords:
Prevalence, free-living amoebae, hospital water systems, PCR, protozoa, agar.
Abstract:
Introduction: Free-living amoebae are opportunistic amoebae that usually live freely in
various environmental conditions, including warm water and even in water supply network pipes and
reservoirs connected to water. In addition to living freely, these protozoa are able to attack the host's
body when they enter a human or animal body. Therefore, it is necessary to identify their presence in
water resources. So, this study aimed to identify free-living amoebae isolated from water reservoirs of
hospitals in southwest Iran.
Methods: A total of 80 water samples were isolated from the hospitals of Ahvaz city, southwest Iran,
and their physical and chemical parameters were measured. The samples were then put into non-food
agar culture medium and stained using the Wright-Giemsa staining. Finally, the samples were identified
by the PCR molecular method.
Results: The mean pH and turbidity values were 7.57 ± 0.03 and 3.31 ± 0.26 nephelometric turbidity
unit (NTU), respectively. The mean residual chlorine and electrical conductivity were 0.91 ± 0.02 and
1122.39 ± 24.31, respectively. In addition, 9 (11.25%) and 3 (3.75%) samples were contaminated with
Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria spp., respectively. However, no positive cases of Balamuthia spp.
infection were observed. Moreover, two samples were co-infected with Acanthamoeba spp. and
Naegleria spp.
Conclusion: Due to the existence of free-living amoebae in water storage tanks at hospitals, it is necessary
to prevent possible contamination with these amoebae and infectious agents by using new methods
of disinfection and purification of water resources.
